chyle

noun

ˈkī(-ə)l 

: lymph that is milky from emulsified fats, characteristically present in the lacteals, and most apparent during intestinal absorption of fats

chylous

ˈkī-ləs 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

Middle English chilum, chile, borrowed from Medieval Latin chylus, chilus, borrowed from Greek chȳlós "juice, sap, chyle," of uncertain origin

Note: The Greek word is conventionally taken as a derivative of chéō, cheîn "to pour, shed" (Indo-European *ǵheu̯- "pour"; see found entry 5), though the long vowel is unexpected; usually it is accounted for as a zero-grade derivative, either from a "root extension" *ǵhus-lo-, or with a suffix *ǵhu-slo-, though neither explanation is entirely satisfactory ([*ǵhus-] is arbitrary, and a formative -slo- next to -lo- is peculiar). Chantraine (Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue grecque) points to Tocharian B kuṣäm, but the sibilant in this case is the regular present-tense extension of Class VIII verbs. The same problems are presented by the nearly synonymous word chȳmós "animal or plant fluid, humor" (see chyme). Semantically, "juice" would appear to be something extracted rather than something poured.

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

chyle

noun

ˈkī(ə)l 

: lymph that is milky from bits of fat and is found especially in the lymphatic vessels surrounding the small intestine and carrying the digested fat to the blood

Medical Definition

chyle

noun

ˈkī(ə)l 

: lymph that is milky from emulsified fats, characteristically present in the lacteals, and most apparent during intestinal absorption of fats