calciferol
[ kal-sif-uh-rawl, -rol ]
/ kælˈsɪf əˌrɔl, -ˌrɒl /
noun Biochemistry.
a fat-soluble, crystalline, unsaturated alcohol, C28H43OH, occurring in milk, fish-liver oils, etc., produced by ultraviolet irradiation of ergosterol, and used as a dietary supplement, as in fortified milk.
Also called vitamin D2.
Origin of calciferol
First recorded in 1930–35;
calcif(erous) +
(ergost)erol
Words nearby calciferol
calchas,
calci-,
calcic,
calcicole,
calcicosis,
calciferol,
calciferous,
calcific,
calcification,
calcifuge,
calcify
British Dictionary definitions for calciferol
calciferol
/ (kælˈsɪfərɒl) /
noun
a fat-soluble steroid, found esp in fish-liver oils, produced by the action of ultraviolet radiation on ergosterol. It increases the absorption of calcium from the intestine and is used in the treatment of rickets. Formula: C 28 H 43 OH
Also: vitamin D 2
Word Origin for calciferol
C20: from
calcif (
erous +
ergost)
erol
Medical definitions for calciferol
calciferol
[ kăl-sĭf′ə-rôl′, -rōl′ ]
n.
vitamin D2
Scientific definitions for calciferol
calciferol
[ kăl-sĭf′ə-rôl′, -rōl′ ]
Any of several sterols that are forms of vitamin D, especially ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). See more at vitamin D.