semisynthetic

[ sem-ee-sin-thet-ik, sem-ahy- ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. derived synthetically from one or more substances of natural origin.

Word History and Origins

Origin of semisynthetic¹

First recorded in 1935–40; semi- + synthetic

Example Sentences

He inserted them into the bacterium Escherichia coli to create a reproducing, semisynthetic organism with a six-letter genetic alphabet.

From Science Magazine

The second issue is potency: The synthetic drugs bind to receptors much more tightly than an opium-derived substance such as heroin or a semisynthetic opioid like oxycodone, so the antidote has difficulty reaching its destination.

From Scientific American

A semisynthetic organism engineered for the stable expansion of the genetic alphabet.

From Nature

Virtually all antibiotics today are semisynthetic, meaning they are chemically altered to increase the number of infections that can be treated or to reduce side effects.

From New York Times

Their semisynthetic organism was thus able to keep X and Y in its genome after dividing 60 times, leading the researchers to believe it can hold on to the base pair indefinitely.

From BBC