Albumen
/ælˈbjuːmən/noun
The clear, protein-rich part of an egg white or a similar substance.
Did you know?Albumen comes from Latin *albus* (“white”), and that same root also gave English words tied to whiteness and brightness, making this a very literal “white” word with an ancient pedigree.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂elbʰ-
“to be white, bright, or shining”
Latin
Latin
albus
“white, bright, pale”
Latin
Latin
albumen
“the white of an egg; any whitish fluid or substance”
16th Century
English
albumen
“the white of an egg”
Modern English
English
albumen
“the clear protein-rich substance in egg white and related materials”