pepsin

[pep-sin] /ˈpɛp sɪn/
noun, Biochemistry
1.
an enzyme, produced in the stomach, that in the presence of hydrochloric acid splits proteins into proteoses and peptones.
2.
a commercial form of this substance, obtained from the stomachs of hogs, used as a digestive, as a ferment in the manufacture of cheese, etc.
Also, pepsine.
Origin
1835-45; < Greek péps(is) digestion (pep-, base of péptein to digest + -sis -sis) + -in2
Examples from the web for pepsin
  • pepsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins in food.
British Dictionary definitions for pepsin

pepsin

/ˈpɛpsɪn/
noun
1.
a proteolytic enzyme produced in the stomach in the inactive form pepsinogen, which, when activated by acid, splits proteins into peptones
Word Origin
C19: via German from Greek pepsis, from peptein to digest
Word Origin and History for pepsin
n.

also pepsine, fermin in gastric juice, used medicinally for cases of indigestion, 1844, coined in German (Theodor Schwann, 1835) from Greek pepsis "digestion," from stem pep- (see peptic) + -in (2).

pepsin in Medicine

pepsin pep·sin or pep·sine (pěp'sĭn)
n.

  1. Any of various digestive enzymes found in gastric juice that catalyze the hydrolysis of proteins to peptides.

  2. A substance containing pepsin, obtained from the stomachs of hogs and calves and used as a digestive aid.

pepsin in Science
pepsin
  (pěp'sĭn)   
Any of various digestive enzymes found in vertebrate animals that catalyze the hydrolysis of proteins to peptides.