pri‧on /ˈpraɪɒn, ˈpriː- $ -ɑːn/
noun [countable][
Date: 1900-2000;
Origin: proteinaceous 'containing protein' (19-21 centuries) + infectious particle]
a very small piece of
protein that is thought to cause some brain diseases such as
BSE [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲