amygdalin

noun

amyg·​da·​lin ə-ˈmig-də-lən How to pronounce amygdalin (audio)
: a white crystalline cyanogenic glucoside C20H27NO11 found especially in the seeds of the apricot, peach, and bitter almond compare laetrile

Examples of amygdalin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All About His Life After Belle Gibson's Crimes According to WebMD, apricot seeds contain the compound amygdalin, which was once sold as an anti-cancer treatment called laetrile in the 1940s. — Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025 Hydrangeas, which contain a chemical known as amygdalin, and carnations, which contain natural toxins, are two others that pets of all kinds should avoid. Daffodils and tulips, meanwhile, are also poisonous to some animals, TrustedHousesitters said, especially their bulbs. — Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin amygdala

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amygdalin was in 1651

Rhymes for amygdalin

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Browse Nearby Words

Amygdalaceae
amygdalin
amygdaloid
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Cite this Entry

“Amygdalin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amygdalin. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

amygdalin

noun
amyg·​da·​lin ə-ˈmig-də-lən How to pronounce amygdalin (audio)
: a white crystalline cyanogenic glucoside C20H27NO11 found especially in the seeds of the apricot, peach, and bitter almond

More from Merriam-Webster on amygdalin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about amygdalin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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