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