Ceratin
/ˈsɛr.ə.tɪn/noun
A fibrous, hornlike protein found in hair, nails, feathers, and horns.
Did you know?Ceratin is built on the Greek root keras, meaning “horn,” the same root behind words like “horn” and “unicorn,” which is why early scientists named it for its hard, hornlike texture.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κέρας (keras)
“horn”
Late Latin
Latin
cornu
“horn”
19th Century
French/Scientific Latin
kératine / keratin
“hornlike organic substance”
Modern English
English
ceratin
“variant spelling of keratin, a hornlike protein”