/an'tee meuh tab"euh luyt', an'tuy-/ , n.
1. Biochem. any substance that interferes with growth of an organism by competing with or substituting for an essential nutrient in an enzymatic process.
adj.
2. Pharm. of or pertaining to certain substances used to prevent or reduce the proliferation of cells, esp. cancer cells, by interfering with normal metabolic activity.
Also, antimetabolic /an'tee met'euh bol"ik, an'tuy-/ .
[ 1940-45; ANTI- + METABOLITE ]