laetrile
|lae-tri-le|
/ˈleɪ.ə.trɪl/
semi-synthetic amygdalin derivative
Etymology
'laetrile' originates from English, specifically as a blend of 'laevorotatory' and 'mandelonitrile', where 'laevo-' refers to a type of optical rotation and 'mandelonitrile' is a chemical compound.
'laetrile' was coined in the 20th century as a name for a semi-synthetic compound related to amygdalin, and has been used in English since then.
Initially, it referred specifically to the semi-synthetic compound, and its meaning has remained focused on this chemical, especially in the context of alternative medicine.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a semi-synthetic derivative of amygdalin, once promoted as an alternative cancer treatment, but not proven effective or safe.
Laetrile was once used as an alternative treatment for cancer.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/03 23:30