lectin

L1E1C3T1I1N1
UK/ˈlɛktɪn/

noun

Any of a class of proteins that bind specific carbohydrates.

Less commonScrabble 8

Meanings

nounlectin (plural lectins)

plural lectins

  1. biochemistryAny of a class of proteins that bind specific carbohydrates.

    The result proved less about the safety of genetic engineering than it did about the safety of lectins – known animal poisons.

    1999, Matt Ridley, Genome, Harper Perennial, published 2004, page 252
    1 more example

    Soybeans are another excellent source of plant proteins but they are also on the list of high lectin foods. They are very important to vegans and vegetarians as they make it easy for them to get adequate proteins in their diet.

    2018, Stanley Adamson, Lectin Free Handbook: The Essential Guide To The Lectin Diet Plus A 7-Day Lectin Avoidance Meal Plan And Recipes, PublishDrive

Origin

From Latin lēctus (“chosen”) + -in. Coined by W.C. Boyd in 1954.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish lektiini
  • lektiiniTranslations
French lectine
  • lectineTranslations
Russian лекти́н
  • лекти́н (lektín)Translations

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with lectin

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Anagrams

Cite this entry
APA

lectin. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lectin

MLA

“lectin.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lectin. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “lectin,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lectin.

Source: lectin on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.