a zymogen that is converted by trypsin to chymotrypsin
Word origin
[1930–35; chymotrypsin + -o- + -gen]This word is first recorded in the period 1930–35. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: boondoggle, hypercorrection, kickback, preset, technical foul-o- is the typical ending of the first element of compounds of Greek origin (as -i- is, in compounds of Latin origin), used regularly in forming new compounds with elementsof Greek origin and often used in English as a connective irrespective of etymology(Franco-Italian; geography; seriocomic; speedometer); -gen is a combining form meaning “that which produces,” used in the formation of compoundwords. Other words that use the affix -gen include: endogen, hydrogen