ˌepəˈneˌfrēn, -_frə̇n noun
also ep·i·neph·rin -_frə̇n
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary epi- + nephr- + -ine, -in
: a colorless crystalline feebly basic compound (HO) 2 C 6 H 3 CH(OH)CH 2 NHCH 3 existing in three optically different forms; 1-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-2-methylamino-ethanol ; especially : the levorotatory form constituting the principal blood-pressure-raising hormone of the medulla of the adrenal glands, prepared from adrenal extracts and also synthetically, and used chiefly as a heart stimulant, as a vasoconstrictor in controlling hemorrhages of the skin and in prolonging the effects of local anesthetics, and as a muscle relaxant in bronchial asthma — called also adrenaline, adrenin