Lecithin
/ˈlɛs.ə.θɪn/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The principal phospholipid in animals; it is particularly abundant in egg yolks, and is extracted commercially from soy. It is a major constituent of cell membranes, and is commonly used as a food additive (as an emulsifier). countable, uncountable
- 2 a yellow phospholipid essential for the metabolism of fats; found in egg yolk and in many plant and animal cells; used commercially as an emulsifier wordnet
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From French lécithine, coined in 1847 by Theodore Gobley, from Ancient Greek λέκιθος (lékithos, “egg yolk”).