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insulin definition

in·su·lin (in′sə lin)

noun

  1. a protein hormone secreted by the islets of Langerhans, in the pancreas, which helps the body use sugar and other carbohydrates
  2. a preparation extracted from the pancreas of sheep, oxen, etc. and used hypodermically in the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Etymology: < L insula, island (see isle) + -in: in allusion to the islets of Langerhans

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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