The name penicillin comes from Latin penicillus, brush, and is related to the word penis

Penicillin is so called because of its appearance: under the microscope, a colony of Penicillium looks like a brush. The name of the genus, Penicillus, comes from the Latin penicillus, "paintbrush". Oddly enough, penicillin is a kinsman of the word penis, from the Latin penis, "tail". Penicillus, accordingly, a "little tail", alludes to the tufts of hair that have long been used to make brushes.

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September digest: archaeological finds, exhibitions, museums, theatre and the Church

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Frederic Leighton

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The name penicillin comes from Latin penicillus, brush, and is related to the word penis

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September digest: archaeological finds, exhibitions, museums, theatre and the Church

Frederic Leighton

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