botulinn.
/ˈbɒtjᵿlɪn/, /ˈbɒtʃᵿlɪn/, U.S. /ˈbɑtʃələn/ Medicine.
The bacterial neurotoxin responsible for the symptoms of botulism, produced by Clostridium botulinum (see botulinum n. 3). Also called botulinum toxin, botulinus toxin.
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the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > poison > [noun] > poison affecting the nerves > specific
botulin1878
botulinum toxin1923
botulinum1939
1878 Hahnemannian Monthly Feb. 448 Kopp says it [sc. the cheese and sausage poison] is a product of a peculiar rancid fatty decomposition, and appears to be rather an alkaloid (botulin) than an acid.
1898 Jrnl. Amer. Med. Assoc. 6 Aug. 315/2 Kempner has produced an antitoxin from bacilli found in the fecal matters of pigs, that protects against fatal doses of botulin derived from the bacillus botulinus.
1910 F. W. Mott in T. C. Allbutt Syst. Med. (ed. 2) VII. 185 I have observed also in experimental poisoning by botulin, absinthe, phosphorus, and other poisons,..that the neurons are not equally affected.
2002 Cat Fancy May 53/1 Possible biologic warfare agents include..toxins (such as botulin, which causes botulism).
Compounds
General attributive.
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1933 Jrnl. Infectious Dis. 52 17 These animals appear adequately protected by botulin antitoxin when this is fed in mixtures with toxin.
1942 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 14 Nov. 585/2 Incidentally, the decomposition changes explain why we have a considerable number of single cases of botulin poisoning.
1974 L. Murray Lunch Counter Lunch 15 Too many feeds Of ptomaine mutton in the heat Sweets from the handy home botulin kit. No market for jugged hare or ripe cheese Among that sort.
2002 Esquire May 84/3 It's true that injections of Botox (extracts of botulin neurotoxin that freeze muscles) by a dermatologist causes wrinkles to fade.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1878