Prion

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈpɹiːɒn/, /ˈpɹʌɪən/

From (a reordering of) the initial letters of proteinaceous infectious particle. Coined in 1982 by Stanley B. Prusiner.

Full definition of prion

Noun

1. (molecular biology) A self-propagating misfolded conformer of a protein that is responsible for a number of diseases that affect the brain and other neural tissue.
• 1999, Matt Ridley, Genome, Harper Perennial 2004, p. 277:Prions retain deep mysteries, the foremost of which is what on earth they exist for.

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈpɹʌɪən/

From Prion (former genus name), from Ancient Greek πρίων ("saw").

Noun

1. A petrel of the genus Pachyptila.

Anagrams

• porin, rip on, Ripon