Definition of tetracyclic in English:
tetracyclic
adjective ˌtɛtrəˈsʌɪklɪkˌtɛtrəˈsɪklɪkˌtetrəˈsīklik
Chemistry (of a compound) having a molecular structure of four fused hydrocarbon rings.
Example sentencesExamples
- A 1998 study showed that pentacyclic alkaloids weakly activated human B- and T-lymphocytes, and that tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids reduced the activity of pentacyclic oxindoles.
- Mirtazapine is a tetracyclic antidepressant unrelated to tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs.
- Cucurbitacins are oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenes that have been shown to have emetic, antineoplastic, and cytotoxic effects on herbivores, resulting in feeding and oviposition deterrence and reduced growth of consumers.
- Practitioners prescribing the tetracyclic antibiotics should be aware of the syndrome of increased intracranial pressure, and pay particular attention to the ocular fundus for papilloedema.
- Maprotiline is the only tetracyclic antidepressant available in the US.
Origin
Early 20th century: from tetra- ‘four’ + Greek kuklos ‘circle’ + -ic.