ghrelin

[ grel-in ]

noun

, Biochemistry

1. a peptide hormone, produced mostly in the stomach, that increases appetite by stimulating the pituitary gland to secrete growth hormone.

ghrelin

/ ˈɡrɛlɪn /

noun

1. a hormone produced in the body that stimulates appetite

Word History and Origins

Origin of ghrelin¹

First recorded in 1995–2000; by shortening of g(rowth) h(ormone) ( def ) + rel(easing factor) ( def ) + -in ²( def ), with allusion to the Proto-Indo-European root and variants ghrē-, ghrō, ghrə-, “to grow, be green”; see grow ( def ), green ( def ), grass ( def ), graze ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ghrelin¹

C20: from g ( rowth ) h ( ormone ) rel ( easing ) + -in

Example Sentences

Zane Andrews, who works at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, has studied ghrelin for a long time.

From Science News For Students