hirudin

noun

hi·​ru·​din hi-ˈrü-dᵊn  ˈhir-(y)ə- 

: an anticoagulant extracted from the buccal glands of the medicinal leech

Examples of hirudin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The team also found that sulfated anophelins are more effective than hirudin, a blood-thinning molecule derived from the salivary juices of leeches, which is occasionally used in clinical settings. —Vanessa Zainzinger, Science | AAAS, 10 Apr. 2018

Word History

Etymology

from Hirudin, a trademark

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hirudin

noun

hi·​ru·​din hir-ˈüd-ᵊn  ˈhir-(y)əd-ən 

: an anticoagulant extracted from the buccal glands of a leech