cholesterol
UK[kəˈlestərɒl]US[kəˈlestərɔːl]
n
A fatty substance found in the blood and in all cells of the body, essential for many bodily processes but harmful in high amounts.
Morpheme Breakdown
chole
sterol
chole
bile
sterol
chemical compound
Etymology
The term 'cholesterol' was coined in the early 19th century by French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul. He combined the Greek word 'cholē' (bile) with 'stereos' (solid) because the substance was first identified as a solid component of gallstones. The '-ol' ending was later added to reflect its chemical classification as an alcohol. Thus, the word's literal history—"solid bile substance"—traces its path from a physical medical observation to its modern understanding as a crucial sterol molecule in the body.
Analysis
Structure: chole (bile) + sterol (chemical compound)
'chole' is from Greek 'cholē', meaning 'bile'. 'sterol' is a modern scientific suffix derived from 'cholesterol' itself, originally from Greek 'stereos' (solid) and the chemical suffix '-ol' (indicating an alcohol).
Examples
High cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease.
Eggs contain dietary cholesterol, but they are also a good source of protein.
The doctor recommended a diet low in saturated fat to manage his cholesterol levels.