Vitelline
/vɪˈtɛl.iːn/noun
Relating to or containing yolk, especially the yolk of an egg.
Did you know?Vitelline comes from Latin *vitellus*, meaning “little calf,” because Latin used the same root for both young calf and egg yolk—an ancient naming twist preserved in science.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wet-
“to yearn or desire; the root behind Latin words for a young calf, likely from the animal’s suckling/feeding connection”
Latin
Latin
vitulus
“young calf”
Latin
Latin
vitellus
“egg yolk; literally “little calf””
Late Latin
Latin
vitellinus
“of or relating to egg yolk”
Middle English
English
vitellin
“yolk-like; pertaining to yolk”
Modern English
English
vitelline
“relating to yolk, especially egg yolk”
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