Definitions

laetrile

 Play la·e·trile
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 that has been promoted by some individuals as a treatment for cancer, although scientific studies have found no evidence of its effectiveness.

Origin of laetrile

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


laetrile

Noun

(uncountable)

  1. 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.


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Words near laetrile in the dictionary


  • laetiporus
  • laetitia
  • laetmogonid
  • laetmogonids
  • laetrile
  • laevigate
  • laevo-
  • laevocardia
  • laevocardias
  • laevocycloversion

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