citrulline

[ si-truh-leen ]
/ ˈsɪ trəˌlin /

noun Biochemistry.

an amino acid, NH2CONH(CH2)3CHNH2COOH, abundant in watermelons and an intermediate compound in the urea cycle.

Origin of citrulline

1930; < New Latin citrull(us) the watermelon genus (Medieval Latin citrul(l)us, citrolus, Latinization of South Italian citrulo, Tuscan citri(u)olo < Late Latin citrium watermelon (derivative of Latin citrus (see citrus); apparently in reference to the citroncolored fruit of some types of watermelon), with -uolo < Latin -eolus) + -ine2

Words nearby citrulline

citronella, citronella oil, citronellal, citronellol, citrovorum factor, citrulline, citrullinemia, citrullinuria, citrus, citrus canker, citrus greening disease

British Dictionary definitions for citrulline

citrulline
/ (ˈsɪtrəˌliːn) /

noun

an amino acid that occurs in watermelons and is an intermediate in the formation of urea. Formula: NH 2 CONH(CH 2) 3 CHNH 2 COOH

Word Origin for citrulline

C20: from Medieval Latin citrullus a kind of watermelon, from Latin citron, referring to its colour

Medical definitions for citrulline

citrulline
[ sĭt′rə-lēn′ ]

n.

An amino acid produced as an intermediate in the conversion of ornithine to arginine during urea formation in the liver.

Scientific definitions for citrulline

citrulline
[ sĭt′rə-lēn′ ]

An amino acid originally isolated from watermelon, occurring mostly in the liver as an intermediate in the conversion of ornithine to arginine during urea formation. Chemical formula: C6H13N3O3.