trypsin

[ trip-sin ]

nounBiochemistry.
  1. a proteolytic enzyme of the pancreatic juice, capable of converting proteins into peptone.

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Origin of trypsin

1
1875–80; irregular <Greek trîps(is) friction (trī́b(ein) to rub + -sis-sis) + -in2; so called because first obtained by rubbing the pancreas

Other words from trypsin

  • tryp·tic [trip-tik], /ˈtrɪp tɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby trypsin

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How to use trypsin in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for trypsin

trypsin

/ (ˈtrɪpsɪn) /


noun
  1. an enzyme occurring in pancreatic juice: it catalyses the hydrolysis of proteins to peptides and is secreted from the pancreas in the form of trypsinogen: See also chymotrypsin

Origin of trypsin

1
C19 tryp-, from Greek tripsis a rubbing, from tribein to rub + -in; referring to the fact that it was originally produced by rubbing the pancreas with glycerine

Derived forms of trypsin

  • tryptic (ˈtrɪptɪk), adjective

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 trypsin

trypsin

[ trĭpsĭn ]


  1. An enzyme that aids digestion by breaking down proteins. It is produced by the pancreas and secreted into the small intestine, where it catalyzes the cleavage of peptide bonds connecting arginine or lysine to other amino acids.

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