acraein

noun

acrae·​in
ə-ˈkrē-ən
plural -s
: a self-defensive substance secreted by butterflies of the subfamily Acraeinae that is distasteful to birds and other predators

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Acraeinae + English -in

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acraein was in 1922

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Dictionary Entries Near acraein

acr-

acraein

Acraeinae

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Cite this Entry

“Acraein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acraein. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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