tetrazolium

noun

tet·​ra·​zo·​li·​um ˌte-trə-ˈzō-lē-əm 

: a monovalent cation or group CH₃N₄ that is analogous to ammonium

also : any of several of its derivatives used especially as electron acceptors to test for metabolic activity in living cells

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from International Scientific Vocabulary tetrazole (CH₂N₄)

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

tetrazolium

noun

tet·​ra·​zo·​li·​um ˌte-trə-ˈzō-lē-əm 

: a monovalent cation or group CH₃N₄ that is analogous to ammonium

also : any of several of its derivatives used especially as electron acceptors to test for metabolic activity in living cells