Streptomycin
/ˌstrɛp.təˈmaɪ.sɪn/noun
An antibiotic produced by certain bacteria and used to treat infections such as tuberculosis.
Did you know?Streptomycin was isolated in 1943 from Streptomyces griseus, a soil bacterium whose name refers to its twisted, fungus-like appearance.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
streptos
“Twisted or twisted around”
Ancient Greek
Greek
mykēs
“Fungus or mushroom”
19th Century
New Latin
Streptomyces
“A genus name meaning “twisted fungus,” referring to the organism’s branching appearance”
1943
Scientific English
streptomycin
“The antibiotic substance obtained from Streptomyces griseus”
Modern English
English
streptomycin
“An antibiotic used against several bacterial infections, notably tuberculosis”
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