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