proximate principles

plural noun

variants or proximate substances

: compounds occurring naturally in animal and vegetable tissues and separable by analytical methods

the proximate principles of food are proteins, fats, carbohydrates, mineral salts, and water

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!