cephalexin

[ sef-uh-lek-sin ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. an oral, antimicrobial drug, C 16 H 7 N 3 O 4 S, used in treating minor respiratory and urinary tract infections and as a backup or alternative to penicillin treatment.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cephalexin¹

1965–70; cephal(osporin) + -ex- of unclear derivation + -in ²