Dictionary.com

tocopherol

[ toh-kof-uh-rawl, -rol ]
/ toʊˈkɒf əˌrɔl, -ˌrɒl /

noun Biochemistry.

one of several alcohols that constitute the dietary factor known as vitamin E, occurring in wheat-germ oil, lettuce or spinach leaves, egg yolk, etc.

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.
Question 1 of 8
Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?
The Sunflower State
The Evergreen State
The Magnolia State
The Mockingbird State
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT
Compare vitamin E.

Origin of tocopherol

1935–40; <Greek tóko(s) child, childbirth + phér(ein) to carry, bear1 + -ol1

Words nearby tocopherol

tocography, tocol, tocology, tocolytic, tocometer, tocopherol, Tocopilla, Tocqueville, Tocqueville, Alexis de, tocsin, tod
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for tocopherol

tocopherol
/ (tɒˈkɒfəˌrɒl) /

noun

biochem any of a group of fat-soluble alcohols that occur in wheat-germ oil, watercress, lettuce, egg yolk, etc. They are thought to be necessary for healthy human reproductionAlso called: vitamin E

Word Origin for tocopherol

C20: from toco-, from Greek tokos offspring (see tocology) + -pher-, from pherein to bear + -ol 1
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

Medical definitions for tocopherol

tocopherol
[ tō-kŏf′ə-rôl′, -rōl′ ]

n.

Any of a group of closely related, fat-soluble alcohols that behave similarly to vitamin E and are present in milk, lettuce, and wheat germ oil and certain other vegetable oils.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for tocopherol

tocopherol
[ tō-kŏf′ə-rôl′, -rōl′ ]

Any of a group of closely related, fat-soluble alcohols that are types of vitamin E, especially alpha-tocopherol.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.