Paclitaxel

//ˌpak.lɪˈtak.sɛl// noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A taxane antineoplastic drug C₄₇H₅₁NO₁₄ originally isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew, Taxus brevifolia, but now typically derived as a semisynthetic product of the English yew; it interferes with microtubule function and inhibits cell division, and is used in the treatment of some cancers, especially those of the breast and ovary. uncountable

Etymology

From Pac(ific yew) + Latin (brevifo)li(a) + -taxel (“alteration of taxol”).

Related phrases

paclitaxel ceribatepaclitaxel poliglumexpaclitaxel trevatide

More for "paclitaxel"

SynonymsSentencesPronunciationTranslate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciationBrowse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.