calciferol

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

nounBiochemistry.
  1. 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.

Origin of calciferol

1
First recorded in 1930–35; calcif(erous) + (ergost)erol

Words Nearby calciferol

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British Dictionary definitions for calciferol

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: Also: vitamin D 2

Origin of calciferol

1
C20: from calcif (erous + ergost) erol

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for calciferol

calciferol

[ kăl-sĭfə-rôl′, -rōl′ ]


  1. Any of several sterols that are forms of vitamin D, especially ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). See more at vitamin D.

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