Arachnolysin
/əˌræknoʊˈlaɪsɪn/noun
A hemolytic toxin or venom protein associated with spiders that can destroy red blood cells.
Did you know?The suffix “-lysin” comes from Greek lysis, meaning dissolution or loosening, because these toxins can lyse—or rupture—the membranes of red blood cells.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*araks-
“A reconstructed root associated with the idea of a spider or spider-like creature.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀράχνη (arákhnē)
“Spider; the source of the mythological name Arachne.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Arachnida
“The zoological class containing spiders, mites, scorpions, and related animals.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
λύσις (lýsis)
“A loosening, release, dissolution, or breaking apart.”
19th–20th Century
Scientific English
-lysin
“A biochemical suffix for a substance that causes lysis, especially the rupture of cells.”
20th Century
Scientific English
arachnolysin
“A spider-associated lytic toxin, especially one capable of damaging or destroying red blood cells.”