Definition

A type of antibiotic that is used to treat infections caused by certain bacteria, particularly those that are gram-positive.

Example

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

Conversation

Have you ever heard of novobiocin?

Yeah, I think it's some kind of antibiotic, right?

Exactly! It's used to treat infections caused by gram-positive bacteria.

That’s interesting; I didn't know it was so specific!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Novobiocin is formed from 'novo-' (from Latin 'novus', meaning new) and 'biocin' (derived from 'bios', meaning life, and the suffix '-cin', often used in the names of antibiotics). The word refers to a new antibiotic that affects life forms, particularly bacteria.

Memory Tip

Think of 'new' ('novo-') and 'life' ('bios') to remember that novobiocin is a new antibiotic that impacts living organisms.

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