Definition of Prion

1. Noun. (microbiology) an infectious protein particle similar to a virus but lacking nucleic acid; thought to be the agent responsible for scrapie and other degenerative diseases of the nervous system.

Category relationships: Microbiology
Generic synonyms: Particle, Subatomic Particle

Definition of Prion

1. Noun. (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. ¹

2. Noun. A petrel of the genus ''Pachyptila''. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Prion

1. a protein particle [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Prion

printings
printless
printlike
printmaker
printmakers
printmaking
printmakings
printout
printouts
prints
printshop
printshops
printworker
printworkers
printworks
prion (current term)
prion protein
prionaemia
prionic
prions
prior
prior(a)
prior art
prior knowledge
prior probability
prior to
priorate
priorates
prioress
prioresses

Literary usage of Prion

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Methodist Review (1871)
"Whatever differences in opinion may exist as to the precise site, all, or almost all, would place it somewhere west or north-west of prion, ..."

2. Observations in the East: Chiefly in Egypt, Palestine, Syria, and Asia Minor by John Price Durbin (1845)
"It was defended on the west by the sea, on the north by the river, on the east by a wall which ran from the river southward over Mount prion, and crossing ..."

3. Travels in Asia Minor and Greece by Richard Chandler, Nicholas Revett (1825)
"EPHESUS was situated by the mountains, which are the southern boundary of the plain, and comprehended within its wall a portion of mount prion ..."

4. St. James's Magazine by S. C. Hall (1863)
"... pit, back lettered, Vole. I. to V. of the ST. JAMES'S MAGAZINE. Cases for binding the Volumes may also be had, prion ll. each. ..."

Other Resources:

Search for Prion on Dictionary.com!Search for Prion on Thesaurus.com!Search for Prion on Google!Search for Prion on Wikipedia!