a crystalline glycoside, CHNO, present in bitter almonds: it is used as a flavoring agent and is a source of laetrile
Origin:
amygdal(a) + -in
See amygdalin in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A glycoside, C20H27NO11, commonly found in seeds and other plant parts of many members of the rose family, such as kernels of the apricot, peach, and bitter almond, which breaks down into hydrocyanic acid, benzaldehyde, and glucose.