phosphatidylethanolamine

noun

phos·​pha·​ti·​dyl·​eth·​a·​nol·​amine ˌfäs-fə-ˌtī-dᵊl-ˌe-thə-ˈnä-lə-ˌmēn How to pronounce phosphatidylethanolamine (audio)
-ˈnō-,
(ˌ)fäs-ˌfa-tə-dᵊl-
: any of a group of phospholipids that occur especially in blood plasma and the white matter of the central nervous system and are similar to lecithins

called also cephalin

Examples of phosphatidylethanolamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These lipids – phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) – now seem to be the signposts that mark a cancer cell for destruction. K. N. Smith, Discover Magazine, 1 Sep. 2015

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phosphatidylethanolamine was in 1942

Dictionary Entries Near phosphatidylethanolamine

Cite this Entry

“Phosphatidylethanolamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphatidylethanolamine. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

phosphatidylethanolamine

noun
phos·​pha·​ti·​dyl·​eth·​a·​nol·​amine -ˌeth-ə-ˈnäl-ə-ˌmēn How to pronounce phosphatidylethanolamine (audio) -ˈnōl- How to pronounce phosphatidylethanolamine (audio)
: any of a group of phospholipids that occur especially in blood plasma and in the white matter of the central nervous system

called also cephalin

More from Merriam-Webster on phosphatidylethanolamine

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!