/ ˈtrəʊfɪk; ˈtrɒf-; NAmE ˈtroʊfɪk/ adjective ( biology )
1.
relating to feeding, and to the food necessary for growth
2.
( of a hormone or its effect ) causing the release of another hormone or other substance into the blood
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WORD ORIGIN
late 19th cent.: from Greek trophikos , from trophē nourishment, from trephein nourish.