pancreat-

American  

1. variant of pancreato- before a vowel.

   pancreatin.

---

Usage

What does pancreat- mean? Pancreat- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “pancreas.” The pancreas is "a gland, situated near the stomach, that secretes a digestive fluid into the intestine through one or more ducts and also secretes the hormone insulin." The form pancreat- is occasionally used in medical terms, especially in pathology. Pancreat- comes from Greek pánkreas, meaning “sweetbread.” Yes—sweetbread. Discover why at our entry for sweetbread. What are variants of pancreat-?Pancreat- is a variant of pancreato-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Another, less common variant of pancreat- is pancreatico-, as in pancreaticoduodenal. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for pancreato- and pancreatico-.