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Definition of "semisynthetic" [semisynthetic]

  • Prepared by chemical synthesis from natural materials: a semisynthetic antibiotic. (adjective)
  • Consisting of a mixture of natural and synthetic substances: a semisynthetic culture medium. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "semisynthetic" in a sentence
  • "Since late 2004, OneWorld Health, UC Berkeley and Amyris have been working together as the Artemisinin Project to develop a new, low-cost technology platform to provide non-seasonal, high-quality and affordable artemisinin - semisynthetic artemisinin - a key ingredient in first-line treatments for malaria."
  • "Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the source for the natural and semisynthetic narcotics."
  • "Deck-material makers Trex and TimberTech were early producers of composites blending plastic with reclaimed lumberyard sawdust to create a semisynthetic "lumber" that wouldn't splinter or rot."