semisynthetic

semisynthetic
Describing the process of synthesizing a particular chemical utilizing a naturally occurring chemical as a starting material, thus obviating part of a total synthesis; e.g., the conversion of cholesterol (obtained from a natural source) into a corticosteroid.

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semi·syn·thet·ic -sin-'thet-ik adj
1) produced by chemical alteration of a natural starting material <\semisynthetic penicillins>
2) containing both chemically identified and complex natural ingredients <a \semisynthetic diet>
semi·syn·thet·i·cal·ly -i-k(ə-)lē adv

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semi·syn·thet·ic (sem″e-sin-thetґik) produced by chemical manipulation of naturally occurring substances.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • semisynthetic — adjective Date: 1937 1. produced by chemical alteration of a natural starting material < semisynthetic penicillins > 2. containing both chemically identified and complex natural ingredients < a semisynthetic diet > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • semisynthetic — /sem ee sin thet ik, sem uy /, adj. Chem. derived synthetically from one or more substances of natural origin. [1935 40; SEMI + SYNTHETIC] * * * …   Universalium

  • semisynthetic — adjective synthesized by chemically modifying a natural material …   Wiktionary

  • semisynthetic — adj. partially synthetic, partially artificial …   English contemporary dictionary

  • semisynthetic — semi·synthetic …   English syllables

  • semisynthetic — sem•i•syn•thet•ic [[t]ˌsɛm i sɪnˈθɛt ɪk, ˌsɛm aɪ [/t]] adj. derived synthetically from one or more substances of natural origin • Etymology: 1935–40 sem i•syn•thet′i•cal•ly, adv …   From formal English to slang

  • semisynthetic — /ˌsɛmisɪnˈθɛtɪk/ (say .semeesin thetik) adjective partly synthetic …  

  • semisynthetic — adjective not of natural origin; prepared or made artificially man made fibers synthetic leather • Syn: ↑man made, ↑synthetic • Similar to: ↑artificial, ↑unreal …   Useful english dictionary

  • Heroin — Semisynthetic drug derived from morphine. Discovered in 1874, it was introduced commercially in 1898 by the Bayer company in Germany. The name heroin was coined from the German heroisch meaning heroic, strong. Heroin is stronger (more potent)… …   Medical dictionary

  • artemether — Semisynthetic derivative of artemisinin used in the treatment of cerebral malaria. * * * ar·tem·e·ther (ahr temґə thər) a derivative of artemisinin, used in combination with lumefantrine in the treatment of malaria; administered… …   Medical dictionary

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