opiomelanocortin

noun

A polypeptide, found in the pituitary gland, associated with endorphins and other hormones

OriginEnglish cortin ← Ancient Greek μέλᾱς (mélās) ← Proto-Hellenic *mélans →
Scrabble 22
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Meanings

nounopiomelanocortin (countable and uncountable, plural opiomelanocortins)

plural opiomelanocortins

  1. countableuncountablebiochemistryA polypeptide, found in the pituitary gland, associated with endorphins and other hormones

Origin

  1. Englishopio-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*melh₂-
  3. Proto-Indo-European*mélh₂ns
  4. Proto-Hellenic*mélans
  5. Ancient Greekμέλᾱς (mélās)
  6. Englishmelano-
  7. Englishcortin
  8. Englishopiomelanocortin

From opio- + melano- + cortin.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

opiomelanocortin. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/opiomelanocortin

MLA

“opiomelanocortin.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/opiomelanocortin. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “opiomelanocortin,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/opiomelanocortin.

Source: opiomelanocortin on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.