probiotics

[Benjamin Zimmer]

On 1/14/06, Thomas Paikeday <thomaspaikeday at sprint.ca> wrote:
>
> Wondering why "probiotics" with 2 million googlits is not in dictionaries
> like OED (version 3.0), RHD, etc.
>
> "Probiotics are a class of beneficial bacteria that promote health, balance
> and efficient functioning of the digestive system."

Check OED3 again (draft entry Dec. 2004):

probiotic, a.1 and n.
A. adj.
1. Promoting the growth of organisms, esp. microorganisms. [1953]
2. Of, relating to, or containing probiotics (PROBIOTIC n. 2). [1988]
B. n.
1. A substance that promotes the growth of organisms; esp. a
metabolite produced by one microorganism that promotes the growth of
other microorganisms. [1959]
2. A microorganism, or (in early use) a substance, used to restore or
modify the composition of the microflora of a compartment of the body
(esp. the intestines or rumen); a preparation of such microorganisms.
[1974]


--Ben Zimmer