cortisol
/ˈkoɹ.tɪˌsɔl/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.03 in modern English
10
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A glucocorticoid steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that mediates various metabolic processes (such as gluconeogenesis), has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, and whose levels in the blood may become elevated in response to physical or psychological stress.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "There is experimental evidence showing that cortisol restrains the intensity and duration of the emergency reaction to stress, and catecholamines have been shown to enhance emotional memory in the amygdala (see subsection on "Noradrenaline"). Thus, individuals lacking cortisol would overstore traumatic memories ."
- "“While chronic stress can lead to increased levels of cortisol in the body, those levels don’t usually rise high enough to create a moon face,” said dermatologist Dr. Rajani Katta, a clinical assistant professor at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston."
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- Proto-Indo-European *(s)kert- Proto-Indo-European *(s)kort-ek-sder. Latin cortexder. English cortico- Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰelh₃- Proto-Hellenic *kʰolā́ Ancient Greek χολή (kholḗ) Proto-Indo-European *ster-der. Ancient Greek στερεός (stereós) French cholestérine French cholestérolbor. English cholesterol English sterol German Ketonbor. English ketone English -one English -sterone English corticosterone English cortisone English -ol English cortisol From cortisone + -ol.
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈkoɹ.tɪˌsɔl/
- British English: /ˈkɔː.tɪ.sɒl/