Wiktionary
n. (context biochemistry English) Any of various structure related polypeptides of the autacoid family, such as bradykinin and kallikrein, that act locally to induce vasodilation and contraction of smooth muscle.
WordNet
n. any of a class of plant hormones that promote cell division and delay the senescence of leaves [syn: cytokinin]
Wikipedia
A kinin is any of various structurally related polypeptides, such as bradykinin and kallikrein. They are members of the autacoid family.
They act locally to induce vasodilation and contraction of smooth muscle.
It is a component of the kinin-kallikrein system.
Their precursors are kininogens.
In botany, plant hormones cytokinins were first called kinins, but the name was changed to avoid confusion.
Aspirin inhibits the activation of kallenogen by interfering with the formation of kallikrien enzyme which is essential in the process of activation.
Usage examples of "kinin".
And in turn, they offered none, because, Duiker suspected, they held those who were sacrificedand their kinin a respect that could not survive something so base and self-serving as its utterance.
The molecules of the kinins are simpler than are those of the gastrointestinal hormones.
Even with the structure in hand, they can't tell exactly how the kinins bring about the effects they do.