amphiphile

[am-fuh-fahyl]

noun Biochemistry.

any of many organic compounds, as a surfactant, detergent, bile salt, or phospholipid, composed of hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions.

Origin of amphiphile

First recorded in 1970–75; amphi- + -phile

Related formsam·phi·phil·ic

[am-fuh-fil-ik] /ˌæm fəˈfɪl ɪk/, adjective