Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Either of two neuropeptide hormones synthesized in the hypothalamus that regulate sleep and wakefulness and whose dysfunction causes narcolepsy.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun biochemistry Either of two neuropeptide hormones found in vertebrates; the hypocretins

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Greek orexis, appetite (from the view that orexin stimulates appetite; see anorexia) + –in.]

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