sphingosine

noun

sphin·​go·​sine ˈsfiŋ-gə-ˌsēn 

plural sphingosines

: a long-chain unsaturated amino alcohol C₁₈H₃₇O₂N that is found especially in cell membranes and is a primary constituent of sphingolipids

Word History

Etymology

Greek sphingos (genitive of sphinx) + English -ine entry 2; from riddles it posed to its first investigators

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sphingosine

noun

sphin·​go·​sine ˈsfiŋ-gə-ˌsēn  -sən 

: an unsaturated amino diol C₁₈H₃₇NO₂ obtained by hydrolysis of various sphingomyelins, cerebrosides, and gangliosides