thyroxine

[ thahy-rok-seen, -sin ]

/ θaɪˈrɒk sin, -sɪn /

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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

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Also thy·rox·in

[thahy-rok-sin]. /θaɪˈrɒk sɪn/.

Origin of thyroxine

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for thyroxine

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

Scientific definitions for thyroxine

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.