First Known Use: 1949
Dictionary
phytoalexin
noun phy·to·alex·in \ˌfī-tō-ə-ˈlek-sən\
Definition of PHYTOALEXIN
: any of various antimicrobial chemical substances produced by plants to combat infection by a pathogen (as a fungus)
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Origin of PHYTOALEXIN
International Scientific Vocabulary phyt- + alexin substance combating infection, from Greek alexein to ward off, protect; akin to Sanskrit rakṣati he protects
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