cholesterol

Etymology

From French cholestérol.

Noun

cholesterol (countable and uncountable, plural cholesterols)

1. (biochemistry) A sterol lipid synthesized by the liver and transported in the bloodstream to the membranes of all animal cells; it plays a central role in many biochemical processes and, as a lipoprotein that coats the walls of blood vessels, is associated with cardiovascular disease.
   • 2013 July-August, Stephen P. Lownie, David M. Pelz, “Stents to Prevent Stroke”, in American Scientist:

     As we age, the major arteries of our bodies frequently become thickened with plaque, a fatty material with an oatmeal-like consistency that builds up along the inner lining of blood vessels. The reason plaque forms isn’t entirely known, but it seems to be related to high levels of cholesterol inducing an inflammatory response, which can also attract and trap more cellular debris over time.

Etymology

Borrowed from English cholesterol. First attested in the 1920s, ultimately displacing cholesterine.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌxɔ.lɛstəˈrɔl/, /ˌxɔ.ləstəˈrɔl/
• Hyphenation: cho‧les‧te‧rol
• Rhymes: -ɔl

Noun

cholesterol m, n (uncountable)

1. cholesterol

   Synonyms: cholesterine, galvet

Noun

cholesterol (plural)

1. cholesterol

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /xɔ.lɛˈstɛ.rɔl/

• Audio

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Noun

cholesterol m inan

1. cholesterol