Definition

A type of antibiotic that is effective against many different bacteria and is used to treat infections.

Example

The doctor prescribed oxytetracycline to help clear up the infection.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of oxytetracycline?

Yeah, I think it's an antibiotic, right?

Exactly! It's used to treat various infections.

I wonder how effective it is for different bacteria.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Oxytetracycline is formed from "oxy-" (from Greek "oxus", meaning sharp or acid) and "tetracycline" (from Greek "tetra", meaning four, and "kyklos", meaning circle). The word refers to a compound that has a sharp or acidic property and is part of a class of antibiotics with a four-ring structure.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sharp' ('oxy-') and 'four circles' ('tetracycline') to remember that oxytetracycline is a type of antibiotic with a distinct structure.

Visually Confused Words