Lecithin

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Lecithin \Lec"i*thin\, n. [Gr. le`kiqos the yolk of an egg.]
     (Physiol. Chem.)
     A complex, nitrogenous phosphorized substance widely
     distributed through the animal body, and especially
     conspicuous in the brain and nerve tissue, in yolk of eggs,
     and in the white blood corpuscles.


     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  lecithin
       n : 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