taurine

¹ American  

[tawr-ahyn, -in] / ˈtɔr aɪn, -ɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a bull.

2. pertaining to the zodiacal sign Taurus.

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taurine ² American  

[tawr-een, -in] / ˈtɔr in, -ɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

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

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taurine ¹ British  

/ ˈtɔːraɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a bull

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taurine ² British  

/ -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

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Etymology

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

Explanation

Use the adjective taurine to describe someone or something that resembles a bull, like a big, broad dog lumbering through the dog park. The resemblance to the astrological sign known as "Taurus" is the tipoff to the meaning of taurine: this elegant adjective means "relating to or resembling a bull." In fact, in Latin taurus means "bull." You might describe a football player in a tiny antique shop, bumping against delicate furniture and jostling tea cups, as taurine.

Example Sentences

Taurine itself is a simple amino acid, one of the building blocks of proteins; it occurs naturally in most animals, including humans.

From Slate • Jun. 20, 2025

Taurine deficiency can cause retinal degeneration and cardiac disease, both of which would not be evident to owners until the conditions were very advanced.

From Salon • Sep. 26, 2023

Taurine is a semi-essential amino acid, which we synthesize in small amounts in our liver.

From Science Daily • Sep. 18, 2023

"Taurine somehow hits the engine room of ageing."

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2023

Taurine has long been sold as a dietary supplement that purportedly increases exercise performance and strength.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 7, 2023