# abrine

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abrine
Updated: 2026-06-22

## Definition

a very strong poison found in some plants, like the castor bean. It is so powerful that even a tiny amount can be deadly.

For teachers: a toxic protein found in the seeds of the castor oil plant, Ricinus communis. It is one of the most potent naturally occurring toxins, capable of inhibiting protein synthesis in cells.

## Examples

- The seeds of the castor plant contain a deadly poison called abrine.
- While the oil from the castor bean is used in medicine, the seeds themselves contain abrine, which is extremely dangerous if ingested.
- The mechanism of abrine involves the irreversible inactivation of ribosomes, effectively halting the production of essential proteins within the host cell and leading to rapid cell death.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.