Gentamicin
/d͡ʒɛn.təˈmaɪ.sɪn/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic mixture, derived from an actinomycete (Micromonospora echinospora), extensively used as the sulfate in treating severe systemic bacterial infections (as of the urinary tract); (3R,4R,5R)-2-{[(1S,2S,3R,4S,6R)-4,6-diamino-3-{[(2R,3R,6S)-3-amino-6-[(1R)-1-(methylamino)ethyl]oxan-2-yl]oxy}-2-hydroxycyclohexyl]oxy}-5-methyl-4-(methylamino)oxane-3,5-diol. countable, uncountable
- 2 an antibiotic (trade name Garamycin) that is derived from an actinomycete; used in treating infections of the urinary tract wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
More examples"Gentamicin is an antibiotic that is typically not used to treat sexually transmitted infections."
Etymology
Alteration of gentamycin, as a blend of gentian violet + kanamycin, from the color of the actinomycete.