Word
islet
US/ˈaɪɫɪt/
UK/ˈaɪlət/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small island, or a small group of cells in the body that do a specific job. In biology, it often refers to the tiny clusters of cells in the pancreas that make insulin.
n. a small island or a small cluster of cells within a larger organ. In a biological context, it specifically refers to the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, which regulate blood sugar levels.
Examples
“The doctor checked the islet cells in the patient's pancreas.”
“Researchers are studying how to protect the islet cells from the immune system to treat diabetes more effectively.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor checked the islet cells in the patient's pancreas.”
contextual
“Researchers are studying how to protect the islet cells from the immune system to treat diabetes more effectively.”
Etymology
From Middle French islette. By surface analysis, is(le) + -let. Mostly displaced native Middle English eyt, eit and Middle English holm, holme (See eyot and holm for more).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/islet