protoporphyrin

noun pro·to·por·phy·rin \ˌprō-tō-ˈpȯr-f(ə-)rən\

Definition of PROTOPORPHYRIN

: a purple porphyrin acid C₃₄H₃₄N₄O₄ obtained from hemin or heme by removal of bound iron

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use: 1925

Medical Dictionary

noun pro·to·por·phy·rin \ˌprōt-ō-ˈpȯr-f(ə-)rən\

: a purple porphyrin acid C₃₄H₃₄N₄O₄ obtained from hemin or heme by removal of bound iron

Next Word in the Dictionary: protopresbyterPrevious Word in the Dictionary: protoporcelainAll Words Near: protoporphyrin

What made you want to look up protoporphyrin? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears