Definition

A type of antibiotic that is used to treat various infections and is derived from certain bacteria.

Example

The doctor prescribed tetracycline to help clear up the infection.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of tetracycline?

Yeah, it's that antibiotic, right?

Exactly! I read it can treat a lot of infections.

That's true — it's pretty versatile for bacterial issues.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Tetracycline** → It is formed from "tetra-" (from Greek *tetras*, meaning four) and "cyclus" (from Greek *kyklos*, meaning circle or ring) and "-ine" (a suffix used in chemistry to denote substances). The word "tetracycline" refers to a class of antibiotics that have a four-ring structure in their molecular composition.

Memory Tip

Think of 'four' ('tetra-') and 'ring' ('cyclus') to remember that tetracycline is an antibiotic with a four-ring structure.

Visually Confused Words