Laetrile dictionary definition

laetrile

[lā′ə tril′]

noun

any of several organic compounds derived chiefly from apricot kernels, used by some unorthodox practitioners to treat cancer

Origin of laetrile

lae(vorotatory glycosidic ni)trile

laetrile

noun

A substance derived from amygdalin, promoted by some individuals as an antineoplastic drug but found by researchers to have no proven benefit in animals or humans.

Origin of laetrile

lae(vorotatory) (variant of levorotatory) + (ni)trile.

laetrile

Noun

(uncountable)

A drug, derived from the amygdalin of apricot kernels, once thought capable of destroying cancer cells by the release of cyanide but later banned in the United States by the FDA.

Origin

A contraction of l-mandelonitrile, from Ancient Greek ἀμυγδάλη (amugdalē, “almond”) + -o- + nitrile.

Link/Cite

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laetrile

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