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Glite Dictionary
amygdalin

amygdalin

1 9.9
A bitter substance in seeds like apricot, plum, and bitter almond that can make cyanide in the body
  • noun
  • /əˈmɪɡdəlin/
  • Specialized
: amigdalina
  • The scientist explained that amygdalin can release cyanide when it is metabolized.

Examples

  • Amygdalin is a compound that can be found in the seeds of apricots and bitter almonds.

  • Sweeter almonds do not contain amygdalin and can be consumed raw or dry roasted to produce roasted almonds.

    Blog text (28)

  • The difference lies in the toxic chemical, amygdalin, found in the bitter almonds.

    Blog text (28)

  • Amygdalin.

    Watchmen (2009)

  • To extract the amygdalin from the bitter almonds, the almonds must be heated.

    Blog text (28)

  • Consuming large quantities of amygdalin-rich seeds may pose health risks due to its toxicity.

Surface Forms

amygdalin singular
amygdalins plural

Morphology

amygdalin = amygdal (opaque) = amygdal + in

The combining form 'amygdal-' is not a familiar standalone English word and the '-in' suffix names a chemical substance, so an average learner cannot reliably infer the meaning from the parts.

Etymology

Amygdalin comes from the Greek root amygdal- meaning 'almond', and it shares that root with the English word almond because the compound is found in bitter almonds and in apricot and plum seeds. It is a bitter chemical that can release cyanide, a poison, so that's why amygdalin refers to this seed compound.