word-forming element in science, used to form names of antibiotic compounds derived from fungi, from Latinized form of Greek mykēs "fungus, mushroom" (see myco-).
Entries linking to -mycin
myco-
before vowels myc-, word-forming element meaning "mushroom, fungus," formed irregularly from Latinized form of Greek mykēs "fungus, mushroom, anything shaped like a mushroom," a word of uncertain origin (Beekes doubts the traditional explanation that connects it to the source of mucus). The correct form is myceto- (mycet-).
streptomycin n.
antibiotic drug, 1944, from Modern Latin Streptomyces, genus name of the bacterium from which the antibiotic was obtained, from strepto- "twisted" + -mycin, element used in forming names of substances obtained from fungi. First isolated by U.S. microbiologist Selman Abraham Waksman (1888-1973) and others.