n.
A synthetic drug analogue of pyrophosphate that acts primarily on bone to inhibit its resorption and is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
[Probably A(MINO) + (buty)l(id)en(e), a bivalent hydrocarbon radical (BUTYL + -ID(E) + -ENE) + (HY)DR(OXY) + (phosph)onate, chemical compound name (PHOSPHON(IUM) + -ATE2).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
