ENGLISH
REFERENCE

adrenal

adj.
C1 Advanced US //əˈdɹinəɫ// UK //ɐdɹˈiːnəl// adrenal Informal

adj. relating to the small glands in your body that help you deal with stress. These glands release hormones like adrenaline when you are scared or excited.

adj. relating to the adrenal glands, which secrete hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Often used in medical or physiological contexts to describe the body's stress response.


SIMPLE

The doctor checked my adrenal function during the physical.

CONTEXTUAL

During the high-stress interview, her adrenal system kicked in, causing her heart to race and her palms to sweat.

COMPLEX

Chronic stress can lead to adrenal fatigue, a condition where the body's ability to produce essential hormones like cortisol becomes significantly impaired over time.

Origin

From ad- (“near”) + renal (“pertaining to the kidneys”), from Latin rēn (“kidney”).

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