Lecithoid
/ˈlɛsɪθɔɪd/noun
Resembling lecithin or having properties characteristic of lecithin.
Did you know?Lecithoid ultimately derives from Ancient Greek λήκυθος, meaning “egg yolk,” because lecithin was first isolated from egg yolk in the nineteenth century.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
λήκυθος (lḗkythos)
“Egg yolk; the source of the later scientific term connected with yolk-derived phospholipids.”
19th Century
German
Lecithin
“A phospholipid first obtained from egg yolk; the name was formed from Greek lḗkythos, “egg yolk.””
19th Century
English
lecithin
“A fatty substance occurring in animal and plant tissues, especially associated historically with egg yolk.”
20th Century
English
lecithoid
“Resembling lecithin or having lecithin-like characteristics.”