colostrum

[ kuh-los-truhm ]

noun
  1. a yellowish liquid, especially rich in immune factors, secreted by the mammary gland of female mammals a few days before and after the birth of their young.

Origin of colostrum

1
First recorded in 1570–80, colostrum is from the Latin word colostrum, colustrum “beestings,” colloquial for “first milk”

Other words from colostrum

  • co·los·tral, adjective

Words Nearby colostrum

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How to use colostrum in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for colostrum

colostrum

/ (kəˈlɒstrəm) /


noun
  1. the thin milky secretion from the nipples that precedes and follows true lactation. It consists largely of serum and white blood cells

Origin of colostrum

1
C16: from Latin, of obscure origin

Derived forms of colostrum

  • colostral, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012