indican

noun

in·​di·​can ˈin-də-ˌkan How to pronounce indican (audio)
1
: an indigo-forming substance C8H7NO4S found as a salt in urine and other animal fluids
also : its potassium salt C8H6KNO4S
2
: a glucoside C14H17NO6 occurring especially in the indigo plant and being a source of natural indigo

Word History

Etymology

Latin indicum indigo — more at indigo

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of indican was in 1859

Dictionary Entries Near indican

Indic

indican

indicant

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Indican.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indican. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

indican

noun
in·​di·​can ˈin-də-ˌkan How to pronounce indican (audio)
1
: an indigo-forming substance C8H7NO4S found as a salt in urine and other animal fluids
also : its potassium salt C8H6KNO4S
2
: a glucoside C14H17NO6 occurring especially in the indigo plant and being a source of natural indigo
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