calciferol

[ kal-sif-uh-rawl, -rol ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a fat-soluble, crystalline, unsaturated alcohol, C 28 H 43 OH, occurring in milk, fish-liver oils, etc., produced by ultraviolet irradiation of ergosterol, and used as a dietary supplement, as in fortified milk.

calciferol

/ kælˈsɪfərɒl /

noun

1. 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 Alsovitamin D2

calciferol

/ kăl-sĭf′ə-rôl′,-rōl′ /

1. Any of several sterols that are forms of vitamin D, especially ergocalciferol (vitamin D 2 ) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D 3 ).
2. See more at vitamin D

Word History and Origins

Origin of calciferol¹

First recorded in 1930–35; calcif(erous) + (ergost)erol

Word History and Origins

Origin of calciferol¹

C20: from calcif ( erous + ergost ) erol