Definition

A substance produced by leeches that stops blood from clotting, often used in medicine to prevent blood clots.

Example

Hirudin is used in some medical treatments to help patients who are at risk of blood clots.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of hirudin before?

Yeah, isn't it that substance from leeches?

Exactly! It's used in medicine as an anticoagulant.

That's fascinating! I had no idea leeches could be so useful.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Hirudin comes from the Latin word 'hirudo' (meaning leech) combined with the suffix '-in' (used to denote substances). The word 'hirudin' refers to a substance derived from leeches, specifically an anticoagulant protein found in their saliva.

Memory Tip

Think of 'hirudo' meaning leech, and remember that 'hirudin' is a substance that comes from leeches, specifically used to prevent blood clotting.

Visually Confused Words