ˌvaŋkəˈmīs ə n noun
( -s )
Etymology: vanco- (of unknown origin) + -mycin
: an antibiotic C 66 H 75 Cl 2 N 9 O 24 derived from an actinomycete ( Amycolatopsis orientalis syn. Streptomyces orientalis syn. Nocardia orientalis ) that is effective against gram-positive bacteria and is used chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride especially against staphylococci resistant to methicillin