hæmocyanin, hemo- Chem.
(hiːməʊˈsaɪənɪn)
Also erron. hæma-.
[See hæmo- and cyanin.]
a. A blue colouring matter which has been found in human blood. b. A substance containing copper, blue when oxidized and colourless when deoxidized, found normally in the blood of some invertebrates.
| 1845 G. E. Day tr. Simon's Anim. Chem. I. 43 Hæmacyanin, or a blue colouring matter, has been detected by Sanson in healthy blood. 1885 Stirling tr. Landois' Hum. Physiol. I. 12 In cephalopods and some crabs the blood is blue, owing to the presence of a colouring matter (Hæmocyanin) which contains copper. |