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thyroxine
noun
called also T4
Examples of thyroxine in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thyroxine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
alteration (by substitution of the suffix -ine entry 2 for -in entry 1) of earlier thyroxin, shortened from thyro-oxy-indol, from thyro- + oxy + indole
Note: The name was introduced by the American biochemist Edward Calvin Kendall (1886-1972) in "The thyroid hormone and its relation to the other ductless glands," Endocrinology, vol. 2 (1918), p. 90. The change of suffix was made when it was realized that the compound had an amino acid as a nucleus rather than indole, as Kendall had believed. (See A.T. Cameron, "Designation of thyroxine," Nature, vol. 119, June 25, 1927, p. 925.)
1918, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Thyroxine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thyroxine. Accessed 12 Sep. 2024.
Kids Definition
thyroxine
nounMedical Definition
thyroxine
nouncalled also T4
More from Merriam-Webster on thyroxine
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thyroxine
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