n.
Pronunciation: ˌ pe-n ə - ' si-l ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin Penicillium
Date: 1929
1 : any of several relatively nontoxic antibiotic acids of the general formula C 9 H 11 N 2 O 4 SR that are produced by molds (genus Penicillium and especially P. notatum or P. chrysogenum ) or synthetically and are used especially against gram-positive cocci also : a mixture of such acids
2 : a salt or ester of a penicillin or a mixture of such salts or esters