amphiphile

[ am-fuh-fahyl ]
/ ˈæm fəˌfaɪl /

noun Biochemistry.

any of many organic compounds, as a surfactant, detergent, bile salt, or phospholipid, composed of hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions.

Origin of amphiphile

First recorded in 1970–75; amphi- + -phile

OTHER WORDS FROM amphiphile

am·phi·phil·ic [am-fuh-fil-ik] /ˌæm fəˈfɪl ɪk/, adjective