acinus

noun

ac·i·nus ˈa-sə-nəs

plural acini ˈa-sə-ˌnī

: any of the small sacs terminating the ducts of some exocrine glands and lined with secretory cells

acinous

ˈa-sə-nəs

adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin (in the phrase glandulosi acini,) literally, "glandular berries," used by Marcello malpighi, going back to Latin, "berry, grape, berry or grape seed," probably of pre-Latin substratal origin

First Known Use

circa 1751, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of acinus was circa 1751

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Style

“Acinus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acinus. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

acinus

noun

aci·nus ˈas-ə-nəs

ə-ˈsī-

plural acini -ˌnī

: any of the small sacs or alveoli that terminate the ducts of some exocrine glands and are lined with secretory cells

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acinus

noun

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near acinus

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition