n. [ Gr. 'eryqro`s red + &unr_; leaven. ] (Physiol. Chem.) A ferment extracted from madder root, possessing the power of inducing alcoholic fermentation in solutions of sugar. [ 1913 Webster ]
(n) the rate at which red blood cells settle out in a tube of blood under standardized conditions; a high rate usually indicates the presence of inflammation, Syn. sed rate, ESR, sedimentation rate