pancreas
|pan-cre-as|
/ˈpæŋkriəs/
digestive and hormone-producing gland
Etymology
'pancreas' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'pankreas', where 'pan-' meant 'all' and 'kreas' meant 'flesh'.
'pancreas' was borrowed into Latin as 'pancreas' from Greek 'pankreas', passed through Medieval/Medical Latin and entered English (Middle English → modern English) with the same basic form.
Initially it meant 'all flesh' (a reference to its fleshy texture), but over time it came to denote the specific gland in the body responsible for digestive enzymes and hormonal regulation.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a glandular organ in the abdomen that produces digestive enzymes and hormones, including insulin and glucagon.
The pancreas secretes enzymes that help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Synonyms
Noun 2
(historical/culinary) The pancreas of an animal considered as food; sometimes broadly referring to sweetbreads (edible thymus or pancreas).
In some traditional recipes, the pancreas (or other sweetbreads) is used as a delicacy.
Last updated: 2025/10/15 05:11