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

Researchers also observed changes in metabolites such as dihydrouracil and taurine.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

These included the amino acids cysteine and taurine, along with coenzyme M, which plays a key role in metabolism.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2025

His riffs leapt from the amplifier and hit the audience square in the chest with taurine force.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2025

In fact, despite those earlier studies, there may not even be a decline in taurine at all as you age.

From Slate • Jun. 20, 2025

Now this quantity is contained in 0.6 parts of theine, or 2 grains 8/10ths of theine can give to an ounce of bile the nitrogen it contains in the form of taurine.

From The Commercial Products of the Vegetable Kingdom Considered in Their Various Uses to Man and in Their Relation to the Arts and Manufactures; Forming a Practical Treatise & Handbook of Reference for the Colonist, Manufacturer, Merchant, and Consumer, on the Cultivation, Preparation for Shipment, and Commercial Value, &c. of the Various Substances Obtained From Trees and Plants, Entering into the Husbandry of Tropical and Sub-tropical Regions, &c. by Simmonds, P. L.