Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

myelin

/ˈmaɪəlɪn/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.51 in modern English

Syllables: myelin
IPA: /ˈmaɪəlɪn/

11

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A white, fatty material, composed of lipids and lipoproteins, that surrounds the axons of nerves.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"As the result of prolonged action of water upon myelin, bird's-nests-cells are also said to be produced, and we are certain we have seen, as the result of such prolonged action of water, the appearances thus compared."
"This gene controls the production of an insulating sleeve that wraps around neurons. Known as myelin, it is crucial for long-range communication in the brain."

Etymology

Etymology tree Ancient Greek μυελός (muelós)der. English myelo- Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *-iHnos Proto-Italic *-īnos Latin -īnusder. Old French -inbor. Middle English -in English -ineclip. English -in English myelin From myelo- + -in. From Ancient Greek μυελός (muelós, “marrow”).

Origin

Source language: Ancient Greek

Word Breakdown

Prefix: myelo
Root: μυελός
Suffix: in

Usage

Inflected Forms

myelins (plural)

Derived Forms

demyelinate demyelination dysmyelinogenic myelinate myelinated myelination myelinic myelinisation myelinization myelinogenesis myelinolysis myelinopathy

Phrases

myelin basic protein myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein myelin protein zero myelin sheath

Frequently Paired Words

myelopathy myelitis

Synonyms

myeline medulla

Questions

How do you pronounce myelin?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈmaɪəlɪn/.
What does myelin mean?: A white, fatty material, composed of lipids and lipoproteins, that surrounds the axons of nerves.
Where does myelin come from?: It is traced to Ancient Greek.

How to pronounce myelin

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “myelin”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈmaɪəlɪn/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “myelin”.
Repeat and practice — Say “myelin” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.