psoralen

[sawr-uh-luhn, sohr-]

pso·ra·len

[sawr-uh-luhn, sohr-]
noun Pharmacology.
a toxic substance, C11H6O3, found in certain plants, including parsnips, used to increase the response to ultraviolet light in the treatment of severe cases of acne and psoriasis.
Also called furocoumarin.


Origin:
1930–35; < Neo-Latin Psoral(ea) name of a genus of plants yielding the compound (< Greek psōraléa, neuter plural of psōraléos mangy, in reference to the glandular dots on the plant; see psoriasis) + -en, variant of -ene
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Psoralen is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

psoralen pso·ra·len (sôr'ə-lən)
n.
Any of a group of chemical compounds found naturally in certain plants that are used in the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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