choline

[ koh-leen, kol-een ]
/ ˈkoʊ lin, ˈkɒl in /

noun

Biochemistry. a quaternary ammonium cation, C5H14N+O, one of the B-complex vitamins, found in the lecithin of many plants and animals.
choline hydroxide, C5H15NO2, the viscous, strongly alkaline commercial form of this compound, usually synthesized, used as a feed supplement, especially for poultry, and in medicine in certain liver conditions.
choline chloride, C5H14ClNO.

Origin of choline

First recorded in 1855–60; chol- + -ine2

Words nearby choline

choleuria, choli, choliambus, cholic, cholic acid, choline, choline acetyltransferase, choline kinase, cholinergic, cholinergic blockade, cholinergic fiber

Example sentences from the Web for choline

British Dictionary definitions for choline

choline
/ (ˈkəʊliːn, -ɪn, ˈkɒl-) /

noun

a colourless viscous soluble alkaline substance present in animal tissues, esp as a constituent of lecithin: used as a supplement to the diet of poultry and in medicine for preventing the accumulation of fat in the liver. Formula:[(CH 3) 3 NCH 2 CH 2 OH] + OH –

Word Origin for choline

C19: from chole- + -ine ², so called because of its action in the liver

Medical definitions for choline

choline
[ kō′lēn′ ]

n.

A natural amine often classed in the vitamin B complex and a constituent of many other biologically important molecules, such as acetylcholine and lecithin.

Scientific definitions for choline

choline
[ kō′lēn′ ]

A natural amine often classed in the vitamin B complex. It is incorporated into the structure of many other biologically important molecules, such as acetylcholine and lecithin. Chemical formula: C5H15NO2.