# kallikrein

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌkæl.əˈkɹiː.ɪn/

## Definitions
1. A hypotensive protease that liberates kinins from blood plasma proteins and is used therapeutically for vasodilation.

## Etymology
From Ancient Greek κᾰλλίκρεᾰς (kăllíkreăs, “sweetbread, pancreas”) + -in, from κᾰλλι- (kălli-, “beautiful”) + κρέᾰς (kréăs, “flesh, meat”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/kallikrein