noun
penicillin
pen-ih-SIL-in/ˌpenɪˈsɪlɪn/
An antibiotic medicine originally obtained from certain molds.
The penicillin vial sits beside tablets and a diagram of bacteria.
Etymology
The “paintbrush” connection comes from the brushlike shape of the mold cells. Penicillin was named for the Penicillium mold from which the antibiotic was first obtained.
In context
the main treat for syphilis is penicillin but in some cases doxycycline can be used as well
More examples
- The laboratory studied penicillin.
- The chart recorded a penicillin allergy.
- Penicillin changed the treatment of many bacterial infections.
Forms
penicillin