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
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)

Words nearby thyroxine

thyrotrophic, thyrotropic, thyrotropin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test, thyroxine, thyrse, thyrsoid, thyrsus, thysanopteran, thysanopteron

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

Medical definitions for thyroxine

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.

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.