Penicillin
/ˌpɛnɪˈsɪlɪn/noun
An antibiotic substance produced by certain molds and used to treat bacterial infections.
Did you know?Alexander Fleming named the mold genus Penicillium from Latin penicillus, “little brush,” describing its brushlike spore-bearing structures.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
penicillus
“A little brush, brush-shaped object, or tuft”
Classical Latin
Latin
peniculus
“A small brush or cleansing implement; a diminutive form related to penis, “tail””
17th Century
English
pencil
“A small artist’s brush; later, an instrument for writing or drawing”
1875
Latin taxonomy
Penicillium
“A genus of molds named for its brushlike appearance”
1929
English
penicillin
“Alexander Fleming’s name for the antibacterial substance produced by Penicillium mold”
1940s
Modern English
penicillin
“A widely used antibiotic developed for medical treatment”