trypsin

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtrɪpsɪn/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a digestive enzyme which breaks down proteins in the small intestine, secreted by the pancreas as trypsinogen.

Derivatives

tryptic

adjective

Origin:

late 19th century: from Greek tripsis 'friction', from tribein 'to rub' (because it was first obtained by rubbing down the pancreas with glycerine), + -in1