lecithin

[ les-uh-thin ]

/ ˈlɛs ə θɪn /

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noun

Biochemistry. any of a group of phospholipids, occurring in animal and plant tissues and egg yolk, composed of units of choline, phosphoric acid, fatty acids, and glycerol.

a commercial form of this substance, obtained chiefly from soybeans, corn, and egg yolk, used in foods, cosmetics, and inks.

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Origin of lecithin

1860–65; <Greek lékith(os) egg yolk + -in²

Words nearby lecithin

lechosos opal, lechuguilla, lechwe, Le Cid, lecithal, lecithin, lecithinase, Lecky, Leclair, Leclanché cell, Leconte de Lisle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use lecithin in a sentence

The glycerophosphoric acid radical is, to be sure, found in the lecithin of nervous tissues, but its source is not known.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2|Various
Another consideration to bear in mind is that the nerves need fat wherewith to build up the lecithin.
The Healthy Life, Vol. V, Nos. 24-28|Various
Commercial lecithin preparations are at best very impure substances; all are more or less altered from the original composition.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2|Various
The following report was sent to the manufacturers of the various lecithin preparations mentioned therein.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2|Various

Numerous processes have been devised for the preparation of lecithin from egg-yolk or animal tissue.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2|Various

British Dictionary definitions for lecithin

lecithin

/ (ˈlɛsɪθɪn) /

noun

biochem any of a group of phospholipids that are found in many plant and animal tissues, esp egg yolk: used in making candles, cosmetics, and inks, and as an emulsifier and stabilizer in foods (E322)Systematic name: phosphatidylcholine

Word Origin for lecithin

C19: from Greek lekithos egg yolk

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

Scientific definitions for lecithin

lecithin

[ lĕs′ə-thĭn ]

A fatty substance present in most plant and animal tissues that is an important structural part of cell membranes, particularly in nervous tissue. It consists of a mixture of diglycerides of fatty acids (especially linoleic, palmitic, stearic, and oleic acid) linked to a phosphoric acid ester. Lecithin is used commercially in foods, cosmetics, paints, and plastics for its ability to form emulsions.