hirudin

[ hir-yuh-din, hir-uh-, hi-rood-n ]

noun

1. a gray or white, water-soluble acidic polypeptide obtained from the buccal gland of leeches, used in medicine chiefly as an anticoagulant.

hirudin

/ hɪˈruːdɪn /

noun

1. med an anticoagulant extracted from the mouth glands of leeches

Word History and Origins

Origin of hirudin¹

First recorded in 1900–05; formerly trademark

Word History and Origins

Origin of hirudin¹

C20: from Latin hirudin- , hirudo leech + -in