Definition

A type of medicine that fights infections caused by bacteria. It is often used to treat serious infections, especially in the urinary tract.

Example

The doctor prescribed gentamicin to help treat the patient's severe infection.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of gentamicin?

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

Exactly! It's really effective for treating urinary tract infections.

I've read about it; it seems like a powerful medication.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Gentamicin is derived from 'gentamicin' (a name created from 'gentian' — a plant from which the antibiotic was originally derived — and the suffix '-micin', which is used in the names of antibiotics). The word refers to an antibiotic derived from the gentian plant.

Memory Tip

Think of the gentian plant, which is where gentamicin comes from, and remember that it is an antibiotic derived from this plant.

Visually Confused Words