OXYTOCIN

n. 1 a hormone released by the pituitary gland that causes increased contraction of the womb during labour and stimulates the ejection of milk into the ducts of the breasts. 2 a synthetic form of this used to induce labour etc. [oxytocic accelerating parturition f. Gk oxutokia sudden delivery (as OXY-(1), tokos childbirth)]