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.

Nearby words

tocography, tocol, tocology, tocolytic, tocometer, tocopherol, tocopilla, tocqueville, tocqueville, alexis de, tocsin, tod

Compare vitamin E.

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. 2019

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

Medicine 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.

Science 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.