lectin

lec·tin   (lěk'tĭn)    n.  Any of several plant proteins that bind to specific carbohydrate groups on proteins or on cell membranes and are used in the laboratory to isolate glycoproteins, to stimulate proliferation of lymphocytes, and to agglutinate red blood cells. [Latin lēctus, past participle of legere, to select; see select + -in.]

Main Entry: lec·tin
Pronunciation: 'lek-t&n
Function: noun
: any of a group of proteins especially of plants that are not antibodies and do notoriginate in an immune system but bind specifically to carbohydrate-containing receptors on cell surfaces (as of red blood cells)

lectin lec·tin (lěk'tĭn)
n.
Any of several plant glycoproteins that bind to specific carbohydrate groups on the cell membranes, used in the laboratory to stimulate proliferation of lymphocytes and to agglutinate red blood cells.