c-re·ac·tive protein \¦ ̷ ̷ (ˌ) ̷ ̷ ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ -\noun Usage: usually capitalized C Etymology:C-polysaccharide, a polysaccharide found in the cell wall of pneumococci and precipitated by this protein, from carbohydrate : a protein present in blood serum in various abnormal states (as inflammation or neoplasia)