Auxein

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. To undergo growth or increase in size or number, often used in biological contexts to describe gradual expansion or multiplication
2. To experience enlargement or a rise in extent or quantity, particularly referring to growth processes in living organisms
3. To develop by becoming larger or more numerous, commonly applied to describe natural or organic progression and augmentation

Etymology: In ancient Greek, "auxein" was an everyday verb meaning "to increase" or "to grow," used of plants, animals, and people. It is the source of "auxesis," the Greek term for growth or increase, and it shares its root with Latin "augere," which gave English "augment." Modern biologists returned to this verb when they needed a name for a plant's growth-promoting substance. The hormone that drives stem elongation was named "auxin," built directly on the Greek root, so the name itself points to its function. The term is still used for this class of plant hormones.

Synonyms: growth hormone