| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
anabolism (əˈnæbəˌlɪzəm) ![]() | |
| —n | |
| Compare catabolism a metabolic process in which complex molecules are synthesized from simpler ones with the storage of energy; constructive metabolism | |
| [C19: from | |
anabolism a·nab·o·lism (ə-nāb'ə-lĭz'əm)
n.
The phase of metabolism in which simple substances are synthesized into the complex materials of living tissue.
| anabolism (ə-nāb'ə-lĭz'əm) Pronunciation Key
The phase of metabolism in which complex molecules, such as the proteins and fats that make up body tissue, are formed from simpler ones. Compare catabolism. anabolic adjective |
The chemical reactions that synthesize molecules in metabolism. (Compare catabolism.)
Note: Athletes often attempt to improve their performance by speeding up this molecule-building process through the use of drugs called anabolic steroids, despite the potential health risks involved. This use is outlawed in many athletic competitions, such as the Olympic Games.