prednisone n.

"steroid hormone found in the adrenal cortex," manufactured synthetically as an anti-inflammatory, 1949, coined by its discoverer, Dr. Edward C. Kendall, from a shortening of its chemical name, 17-hydroxy-11 dehydrocorticosterone, which is ultimately from Latin corticis (genitive of cortex; see cortical) and so called because it was obtained from the "external covering" of adrenal glands. Originally called Compound E (1936).

"state of a female who has conceived or is with child," 1520s (originally figurative), from pregnant (adj.1) + abstract noun suffix -cy. Literal use attested from 1590s. An earlier word in this sense was pregnacioun (early 15c.), from Old French pregnacion and Latin praegnationem.