Chem. Also -ine. [f. Gr. λέκιθος yolk of egg + -IN.] A nitrogenous fatty substance found in the nerve tissues, the yolk of eggs, blood, and other fluids of the body.
1861. Hulme, trans. Moquin-Tandon, II. III. ii. 86. Helicine … consists … of oleine,… lecithine, and cerebrine.
1896. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., I. 165. A phosphoretted fat termed lecithin.
attrib. 1873. Ralfe, Phys. Chem., 75. Lecithin hydrochlorate.
