n.
A toxic antimetabolite, C20H22N8O5, that acts as a folic acid antagonist to interfere with cellular reproduction and is used in the treatment of psoriasis, certain cancers, and certain inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
[methotre- (probably shortening and alteration of methylaminopterin, one of its chemical names : METHYL + AMINOPTERIN) + perhaps (O)X(Y)- + -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.
