any of several proteins, found in plants and animals, that bind to specific sugar molecules, as on cancer or red blood cells
See lectin in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(lĕkˈtĭn)
noun
Any of several plant proteins that bind to specific carbohydrate groups on proteins or on cell membranes and are used in the laboratory to isolate glycoproteins, to stimulate proliferation of lymphocytes, and to agglutinate red blood cells.