mel|a|to|nin

mel|a|to|nin
mel|a|to|nin «MEHL uh TOH nihn», noun.
a hormone, the first to be isolated from the pineal gland: »

Melatonin…appeared to lighten the amphibian skin by causing the aggregation of melanin granules within the cells (Scientific American). Melatonin…affects the maturing of the sex glands in certain species of young animals (Will G. Ryan).

[< Greek mélas black + English tone, verb + -in (from its effect on melanocytes)]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • mel — mel·a·nel·li·dae; mel·ane·mia; mel·a·ne·sid; mel·a·nif·er·ous; mel·a·ni·idae; mel·a·nin; mel·an·irid·o·some; mel·a·nism; mel·a·nist; mel·a·nis·tic; mel·a·nite; mel·a·ni·za·tion; mel·a·nize; mel·a·no; mel·a·no·carcinoma; mel·a·no·cerite;… …   English syllables

  • nin — ac·er·tan·nin; ac·e·tan·nin; ace·tyl·tan·nin; adre·nin; ag·glu·ti·nin; al·bu·tan·nin; al·kan·nin; anem·o·nin; an·gi·o·to·nin; an·tho·cy·a·nin; an·to·nin·i·a·nus; apoc·y·nin; as·i·nin·i·ty; ave·nin; ba·ku·nin·ism; ba·ku·nin·ist; be·ta·nin;… …   English syllables

  • mel|a|nin — «MEHL uh nihn», noun. any one of a class of dark pigments, especially the black pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes of human beings and many animals, or one developed in certain diseases. Large amounts of melanin help protect the skin from… …   Useful english dictionary

  • mel·a·nin — /ˈmɛlənən/ noun [noncount] : a dark brown or black substance that is a natural part of people s skin, hair, and eyes …   Useful english dictionary

  • melatonin — mel·a·to·nin …   English syllables

  • melatonin — mel|a|to|nin [ˌmeləˈtəunın US ˈtou ] n [U] [Date: 1900 2000; : Greek; Origin: melas black + English serotonin] a ↑hormone that is sometimes used as a drug to help you sleep …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • melatonin — /mel euh toh nin/, n. Physiol. a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in inverse proportion to the amount of light received by the retina, important in the regulation of biorhythms: in amphibians, it causes a lightening of the skin. [1955 60; …   Universalium

  • melatonin — mel•a•to•nin [[t]ˌmɛl əˈtoʊ nɪn[/t]] n. biochem. phl a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in inverse proportion to the amount of light received by the retina, important in regulating biorhythms • Etymology: 1955–60; < Gk mélā(s) black +tone+ …   From formal English to slang

  • a — acar·a·pis; ac·a·ri·a·sis; ac·a·ri·a·sis; ac·a·ri·na; ac·a·ri·nar·i·um; ac·a·rine; ac·a·ri·nol·o·gy; ac·a·ri·no·sis; ac·a·ro·ce·cid·i·um; ac·a·roid; ac·a·rol·o·gist; ac·a·rol·o·gy; ac·a·ro·pho·bia; ac·a·rus; acat·a·lep·sy; acat·a·lex·is;… …   English syllables

  • Melatonin — A hormone produced by the pineal gland, melatonin is intimately involved in regulating the sleeping and waking cycles, among other processes. Melatonin supplements are sometimes used by people who have chronic insomnia. Always see your doctor… …   Medical dictionary

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