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

Example Sentences

Modified taurine is nontoxic but creates a slightly cloudy appearance.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

Over time, she identified two promising ingredients: forms of taurine, an organic compound commonly sold as a dietary supplement, and ethanolamine, another simple organic molecule.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

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

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2025

There are dozens of things that people put into their bodies every day that have just as little evidence as taurine did, prior to this study, for any benefit.

From Slate • Jun. 20, 2025

The step up that the rector had promised himself for Easter was effected without an apoplexy from Mr. Kingdon, possibly because the white stole did not inflame his taurine eye.

From The Vanity Girl by MacKenzie, Compton