melittin

English

Etymology

Borrowed from German Melittin, from Attic Greek μέλιττα (mélitta, “bee”) +‎ German -in.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /mɛˈlɪt.ɪn/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /məˈlɪt.ən/

Noun

melittin (countable and uncountable, plural melittins)

1. (biochemistry) A peptide, containing 26 amino acids, which is present in bee venom and has been used experimentally as an antibacterial agent, especially against penicillin-resistant bacteria.

References

• “melittin”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “melittin”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.

Anagrams

• limettin