neurotoxin

noun

neu·​ro·​tox·​in ˌnu̇r-ō-ˈtäk-sən How to pronounce neurotoxin (audio)
ˌnyu̇r-
: a poisonous substance (such as tetrodotoxin or saxitoxin) that acts on the nervous system and disrupts the normal function of nerve cells

Did you know?

The nervous system is almost all-powerful in the body: all five senses depend on it, as do breathing, digestion, and the heart. So it's an obvious target for poisons, and neurotoxins have developed as weapons in many animals, including snakes, bees, and spiders. Some wasps use a neurotoxin to paralyze their prey so that it can be stored alive to be eaten later. Snake venom is often neurotoxic (as in cobras and coral snakes, for example), though it may instead be hemotoxic (as in rattlesnakes and coppermouths), operating on the circulatory system. Artificial neurotoxins, called nerve agents, have been developed by scientists as means of chemical warfare; luckily, few have ever been used.

Examples of neurotoxin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The neurotoxin in blue-ringed octopus saliva is called tetrodotoxin (TTX), and it’s produced by bacteria lingering in their salivary glands – though TTX can be found in other body parts such as octopus arms and abdomens. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024 Last summer, for example, a red tide bloom released a neurotoxin called domoic acid that sickened sea lions and other marine mammals along the California coast, including in Los Angeles. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024 Editor’s tip: If you already get treated with neurotoxins, try using this serum to extend the life of your results. Emily Orofino, Allure, 29 Oct. 2024 Summary Botox is a drug product made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Sara Hoffman, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for neurotoxin 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French névrotoxine, from névro- neuro- + toxine toxin

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of neurotoxin was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near neurotoxin

Cite this Entry

“Neurotoxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neurotoxin. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

neurotoxin

noun
neu·​ro·​tox·​in -ˈtäk-sən How to pronounce neurotoxin (audio)
: a poisonous substance (such as tetrodotoxin or saxitoxin) that acts on the nervous system and disrupts the normal function of nerve cells

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