a derivative of the amino acid, cysteine, obtained from the bile of animals; 2-aminoethanesulphonic acid. Formula: NH2CH2CH2SO3H
Word origin
C19: from tauro- (as in taurocholic acid, so called because discovered in ox bile) + -ine2
taurine in American English1
(ˈtɔrˌaɪn; ˈtɔrɪn)
adjective
1.
of or like a bull
2. [T-]
of Taurus (sense 2)
Word origin
L taurinus < taurus, bull: see Taurus
taurine in American English2
(ˈtɔrˌin; ˈtɔrɪn)
noun
a colorless, crystalline compound, NC2H7SO3, which is found in the free form in invertebrates and as a constituent of taurocholic acid in the bile of mammals
Word origin
< L taurus (see Taurus) + -ine3: because first obtained (1826) from ox bile