lecithin

/ˈlɛs.ə.θɪn/

Meanings

noun

The principal phospholipid in animals; it is particularly abundant in egg yolks, and is extracted commercially from soy. It is a major constituent of cell membranes, and is commonly used as a food additive (as an emulsifier).

Examples :

"Many chocolate bars contain lecithin to help blend the ingredients smoothly. "

Related Words

particularly adverb

/pəˈtɪkjəli/ /pəˈtɪkjəlɚli/

(focus) Especially, extremely.

"The apéritifs were particularly stimulating."

ingredients noun

/ɪnˈɡriːdiənts/ /ɪnˈɡriːdɪənts/

One of the substances present in a mixture, especially food.

"The cake recipe lists flour, sugar, and eggs as the main ingredients. "

chocolate noun

/ˈt͡ʃɔk(ə)lət/ /ˈt͡ʃɑk(ə)lɪt/ /t͡ʃɔk(ə)lət/ /ˈt͡ʃɔk(ə)lɪt/

A food made from ground roasted cocoa beans.

"Chocolate is a very popular treat."

constituent noun

/kənˈstɪtʃuənt/ /kənˈstɪtʃuəntl̩/

A part, or component of a whole

"A key constituent of a good cake is flour. "

commonly adverb

/ˈkɒmənli/ /ˈkɑmənli/

As a rule; frequently; usually

"People commonly eat breakfast before going to school. "

extracted verb

/ɛkˈstɹæktɪd/

To draw out; to pull out; to remove forcibly from a fixed position, as by traction or suction, etc.

"to extract a tooth from its socket, a stump from the earth, or a splinter from the finger"

principal noun

/ˈpɹɪnsəpəl/ /ˈpɹɪnsəp̬əl/

The money originally invested or loaned, on which basis interest and returns are calculated.

"A portion of your mortgage payment goes to reduce the principal, and the rest covers interest."

commercially adverb

/kəˈmɜːrʃəli/ /kəˈmɜːrʃəlli/

In a commercial manner: a manner pertaining to commerce.

"The bakery sells its bread commercially, distributing it to local supermarkets. "

abundant adjective

/əˈbʌn.dn̩t/ /əˈbn̩.dn̩t/

Fully sufficient; found in copious supply; in great quantity; overflowing.

"[W]ith their magical words they [poets] bring forth to our eyesight the abundant images and beauties of creation. — Leigh Hunt, On the Realities of Imagination"

phospholipid noun

/ˌfɑsfəˈlɪpɪd/ /ˌfɒsfəˈlɪpɪd/

Any lipid, such as lecithin or cephalin, consisting of a diglyceride combined with a phosphate group and a simple organic molecule such as choline or ethanolamine; they are important constituents of biological membranes.

"The phospholipid is a key building block of the cell membrane, forming a barrier that protects the inside of the cell. "

emulsifier noun

/əˈmʌl.sɪf.aɪ.ə(ɹ)/

A substance that helps an emulsion form, or helps keep an emulsion from separating.

"The lecithin in egg yolks is often used as an emulsifier."

membranes noun

/ˈmɛmˌbɹeɪnz/ /ˈmɛmˌbɹeɪns/

A flexible enclosing or separating tissue forming a plane or film and separating two environments (usually in a plant or animal).

"The membranes of our cells allow nutrients in and waste products out. "