Hexacyclic

/ˌhɛksəˈsɪklɪk/ adjective

Definition

Containing or composed of six rings or cycles, especially in chemistry when describing molecular structures.

Etymology

From Greek 'hex-' (six) + 'kyklos' (circle/cycle) + '-ic' (relating to). This chemistry term became standard in the early 20th century as chemists needed precise language for increasingly complex organic molecules.

Kelly Says

Many powerful drugs and natural compounds are hexacyclic molecules—like some alkaloids in plants—and understanding their ring structure helps chemists predict how they'll behave in the body.

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