penicillin

Meaning

Noun

• Any of a group of narrow-spectrum antibiotics obtained from Penicillium molds or synthesized, that have a beta-lactam structure and are active against gram-positive bacteria and used in the treatment of various infections and diseases.
• A blue mold of the genus Penicillium that produces penicillin.

Origin

• From Penicillium + -in. Coined by Alexander Fleming after Penicillium notatum (species) (now Penicillium chrysogenum (species)), a fungus from which penicillin is obtained.