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glucagon

[gloo-kuh-gon]
noun Biochemistry.
  1. a hormone secreted by the pancreas that acts in opposition to insulin in the regulation of blood glucose levels.
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Origin of glucagon

1923; probably gluc- + Greek ágōn present participle of ágein to lead, drive; see -agogue
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for glucagon

glucagon

noun
  1. a polypeptide hormone, produced in the pancreas by the islets of Langerhans, that stimulates the release of glucose into the bloodCompare insulin
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Word Origin

C20: from gluc (ose) + -agon, perhaps from Greek agein to lead
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

Word Origin and History for glucagon

n.

1923, from gluco- + Greek agon, present participle of agein "to lead" (see act (n.)).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
glucagon in Medicine

glucagon

(glōō′kə-gŏn′)
n.
  1. A polypeptide hormone secreted by alpha cells that initiates a rise in blood sugar levels by stimulating the breakdown of glycogen by the liver.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
glucagon in Science

glucagon

[glōō′kə-gŏn′]
  1. A polypeptide hormone produced by the pancreas that stimulates an increase in blood glucose levels, thus opposing the action of insulin.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.