noun
(also optochine)
Pharmacology A bactericidal derivative of quinine now used chiefly as a diagnostic test for Streptococcus pneumoniae; dihydrocupreine ethyl ether, C₂₁ H₂₈ O₂ N₂.
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in Chemical Abstracts. From German Optochinum from opto- (from its use in treating eye infections) + Chin- (in Chinin) + -um, after Latin nouns in -um.
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