bradykinin. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

The American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

bradykinin

SYLLABICATION:	brad·y·ki·nin
PRONUNCIATION:	brd-knn, -knn
NOUN:	A biologically active polypeptide, consisting of nine amino acids, that forms from a blood plasma globulin and mediates the inflammatory response, increases vasodilation, and causes contraction of smooth muscle.
ETYMOLOGY:	brady– + Greek knein, to move; see kei-² in Appendix I + –in.


The American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.