phlorizin

[ flawr-uh-zin, flor-, fluh-rahy-zin ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a bitter, crystalline glucoside, C 2 1 H 2 4 O 1 0 , obtained from the root bark of the apple, pear, cherry, etc.: formerly used as a tonic and in the treatment of malaria; now used chiefly in biochemical research.

Word History and Origins

Origin of phlorizin¹

1830–40; < Greek phló ( os ) bark (variant of phloiós ) + rhíz ( a ) root ¹ + -in ²