taurine
1 Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or resembling a bull.
-
pertaining to the zodiacal sign Taurus.
noun
adjective
noun
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.
Vocabulary lists containing taurine
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Researchers also observed changes in metabolites such as dihydrouracil and taurine.
From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 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
Unfortunately for anyone who wants to live forever, new data casts doubt on the idea that taurine is vital to prevent aging.
From Slate • Jun. 20, 2025
He was of choicest pedigree, but the utter strangeness of the scene turned his taurine wits.
From Spanish Highways and Byways by Bates, Katharine Lee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
