Erythrocytin
/ɪˌrɪθroʊˈsaɪtɪn/noun
An obsolete term for the red coloring matter or pigment associated with red blood cells.
Did you know?The term belongs to the nineteenth-century era when blood chemistry was described through Greek-built scientific words, making ordinary body functions sound like alchemical substances.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁rewdʰ-
“Red; a reconstructed root associated with redness and ruddy color.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
erythros
“Red; the source of the scientific combining form erythro-.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kytos
“A hollow vessel or container; later used in scientific terminology for a cell.”
19th Century
Scientific English
erythrocyte
“A red blood cell, built from Greek erythros, “red,” and kytos, “cell” or “vessel.””
19th Century
English
erythrocytin
“A term for the red coloring matter associated with erythrocytes, formed with the substance-forming suffix -in.”
Modern English
English
erythrocytin
“An obsolete or historical biochemical term, largely replaced by more specific names for blood pigments and cellular components.”