bilirubin
UK[ˌbɪlɪˈruːbɪn]US[ˌbɪlɪˈruːbɪn]
n
An orange-yellow pigment formed in the liver by the breakdown of hemoglobin and excreted in bile.
Morpheme Breakdown
bili
rubin
bili
bile
rubin
red
Etymology
The word 'bilirubin' is a modern scientific compound formed from two Latin roots to describe a specific biochemical substance. The first part, 'bili-', derives from the Latin 'bilis', meaning 'bile', directly indicating the bodily fluid with which the pigment is associated. The second part, '-rubin', originates from the Latin 'ruber', meaning 'red', describing the pigment's characteristic color when first isolated and studied. Thus, the term's literal construction as "red bile" logically names the colored compound found within this digestive secretion, showcasing a classical approach to scientific nomenclature.
Analysis
Structure: bili (bile) + rubin (red)
bili (Latin 'bilis', meaning 'bile', functional role: base/root); rubin (Latin 'ruber', meaning 'red', functional role: base/root)
Examples
High levels of bilirubin in the blood can cause jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes.
The laboratory test measures the concentration of conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin.
The liver processes bilirubin so it can be eliminated from the body.