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tocopherol

[ toh-kof-uh-rawl, -rol ]
/ toʊˈkɒf əˌrɔl, -ˌrɒl /
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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.
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Origin of tocopherol

1935–40; <Greek tóko(s) child, childbirth + phér(ein) to carry, bear1 + -ol1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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

Scientific definitions for tocopherol

tocopherol
[ tō-kŏfə-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.
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