pénicilline

penicillin

noun peh-nee-see-LEEN Rare

Origin: Coined from the Latin genus name 'Penicillium', the mould from which it was isolated, from 'penicillus' (paintbrush), referring to the mould's brush-like spores.

Usage Note

Pénicilline was the first antibiotic, discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 from the mould Penicillium notatum. In French medical contexts, a patient may be described as allergique à la pénicilline. The word is always feminine and has no plural in standard use. Related forms include ampicilline and amoxicilline, which belong to the same family.

Examples

"Le médecin lui a prescrit de la pénicilline."

Natural Translation

The doctor prescribed penicillin for him.

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