epinephrine

or ep·i·neph·rin

[ ep-uh-nef-rin, -reen ]

noun
  1. Also called adrenaline. Biochemistry. a hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla upon stimulation by the central nervous system in response to stress, as anger or fear, and acting to increase heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, and carbohydrate metabolism.

  2. Also Trademark, A·dren·al·in [uh-dren-l-in] /əˈdrɛn l ɪn/ .Pharmacology. a commercial form of this substance, extracted from the adrenal glands of sheep and cattle, or synthesized: used chiefly as a heart stimulant, to constrict the blood vessels, and to relax the bronchi in asthma.

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Origin of epinephrine

1
First recorded in 1895–1900; epi- + Greek nephr(ós) kidney + -ine2

Words Nearby epinephrine

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British Dictionary definitions for epinephrine

epinephrine

epinephrin

/ (ˌɛpɪˈnɛfrɪn, -riːn) /


noun
  1. a US name for adrenaline

Origin of epinephrine

1
C19: from epi- + nephro- + -ine ²

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for epinephrine

epinephrine

[ ĕp′ə-nĕfrĭn ]


  1. A hormone that is secreted by the adrenal gland in response to physical or mental stress, as from fear, and is regulated by the autonomic nervous system. The release of epinephrine causes an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. Epinephrine also raises glucose levels in the blood for use as fuel when more alertness or greater physical effort is needed. Also called adrenaline. Chemical formula: C9H13NO3.

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