thyroxine

[ thahy-rok-seen, -sin ]

/ θaɪˈrɒk sin, -sɪn /

noun

Biochemistry. the thyroid gland hormone that regulates the metabolic rate of the body.

Pharmacology. a commercial form of this compound, obtained from the thyroid glands of animals or synthesized, used in the treatment of hypothyroidism. Symbol: T4

Nearby words

Also thy·rox·in

[thahy-rok-sin] /θaɪˈrɒk sɪn/.

Origin of thyroxine

1915–20; thyr- + ox- + in(dol)e (orig. thought to be a chemical component)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for thyroxin

thyroxine

thyroxin (θaɪˈrɒksɪn)

/ (θaɪˈrɒksiːn, -sɪn) /

noun

the principal hormone produced by the thyroid gland: it increases the metabolic rate of tissues and also controls growth, as in amphibian metamorphosis. It can be synthesized or extracted from the thyroid glands of animals and used to treat hypothyroidism. Chemical name: tetra-iodothyronine; formula: C 15 H 11 I 4 NO 4

Word Origin for thyroxine

C19: from thyro- + oxy- ² + -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

Word Origin and History for thyroxin

thyroxine

from thyro-, comb. form of thyroid, + oxy- + indole + chemical suffix -ine (2). So called from the original description of its composition.

Medicine definitions for thyroxin

thyroxine

[ thī-rŏk′sēn′, -sĭn ]

n.

An iodine-containing hormone that is produced by the thyroid gland, increases the rate of cell metabolism, regulates growth, and is made synthetically for treatment of thyroid disorders.

Science definitions for thyroxin

thyroxine

[ thī-rŏk′sēn′, -sĭn ]

An iodine-containing hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that increases the rate of cell metabolism and regulates growth. Thyroxine can also be made synthetically for treatment of hypothyroidism.