Definition

A type of medicine that fights infections caused by certain bacteria, often used when other antibiotics are not effective.

Example

The doctor prescribed erythromycin to treat the patient's bacterial infection.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of erythromycin?

Yeah, isn't it an antibiotic used for bacterial infections?

Exactly! I read it's effective against some gram-positive bacteria.

That's interesting! I should remember that if I ever need an antibiotic.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Erythromycin is derived from the Greek "erythros" (meaning red) and "mycin" (a suffix used in the names of antibiotics derived from microorganisms). The name reflects the red color of the substance from which it was originally isolated, which was a strain of the bacterium Streptomyces erythreus.

Memory Tip

Think of 'erythros' meaning red, which helps you remember that erythromycin is named for the red color of the bacteria it comes from.

Visually Confused Words