Chlorophyl

2 definitions found

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

  Chlorophyll \Chlo"ro*phyll\, n. [Gr. chlwro`s light green +
     fy`llon leaf: cf. F. chlorophylle.]
     1. (Bot.) Literally, leaf green; a green granular matter
        formed in the cells of the leaves (and other parts exposed
        to light) of plants, to which they owe their green color,
        and through which all ordinary assimilation of plant food


        takes place. Similar chlorophyll granules have been found
        in the tissues of the lower animals. [Written also
        {chlorophyl}.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. any of a group of green pigments found in photosynthetic
        organisms. {Chlorophyll a} and {chlorophyll b} are found
        in higher plants and green algae; {chlorophyll c} is found
        in certain types of marine algae. Chemically, it has a
        porphyrin ring with a magnesium ion bound to the four
        central nitrogens, and has a phytyl side chain. It is
        essential for photosynthesis in most plants. {Chlorophyll
        a} has formula {C55H72N4O5Mg}.
  
     Syn: chlorophyll.
          [WordNet 1.5]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  chlorophyl
       n : any of a group of green pigments found in photosynthetic
           organisms [syn: {chlorophyll}]