taurine

¹

[ tawr-ahyn, -in ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a bull.
2. pertaining to the zodiacal sign Taurus.

taurine

²

[ tawr-een, -in ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a neutral crystalline substance, C 2 H 7 NO 3 S, obtained from bile.

taurine

¹

/ ˈtɔːraɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a bull

taurine

²

/ -rɪn; ˈtɔːriːn /

noun

1. a derivative of the amino acid, cysteine, obtained from the bile of animals; 2-aminoethanesulphonic acid. Formula: NH 2 CH 2 CH 2 SO 3 H

Word History and Origins

Origin of taurine¹

From the Latin word taurīnus, dating back to 1605–15. See taur-, -ine ¹

Origin of taurine²

First recorded in 1835–45; taur(ocholic) + -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of taurine¹

C17: from Latin taurīnus, from taurus a bull

Origin of taurine²

C19: from tauro- (as in taurocholic acid, so called because discovered in ox bile) + -ine ²

Example Sentences

She and other experts also reviewed the role of taurine for Red Bull, which added the chemical to its formula because of potentially protective effects in the heart.

From Science News

Her studies on the role of the chemical taurine in the brain offer deep insights into how cells maintain their size — essential to proper functioning.

From Science News