calciferol

American  

[kal-sif-uh-rawl, -rol] / kælˈsɪf əˌrɔl, -ˌrɒl /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a fat-soluble, crystalline, unsaturated alcohol, C 28 H 43 OH, occurring in milk, fish-liver oils, etc., produced by ultraviolet irradiation of ergosterol, and used as a dietary supplement, as in fortified milk.

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calciferol British  

/ kælˈsɪfərɒl /

noun

1. Also: vitamin D2.  a fat-soluble steroid, found esp in fish-liver oils, produced by the action of ultraviolet radiation on ergosterol. It increases the absorption of calcium from the intestine and is used in the treatment of rickets. Formula: C 28 H 43 OH

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calciferol Scientific  

/ kăl-sĭf′ə-rôl′,-rōl′ /

1. Any of several sterols that are forms of vitamin D, especially ergocalciferol (vitamin D ₂) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D ₃).

2. See more at vitamin D

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Etymology

Origin of calciferol

First recorded in 1930–35; calcif(erous) + (ergost)erol