polyphenol
UK[ˌpɒl.iˈfiː.nɒl]US[ˌpɑː.liˈfiː.nɑːl]
n
any of a group of chemical compounds containing more than one phenol group per molecule, many of which are found in plants and are known for their antioxidant properties.
Morpheme Breakdown
poly
phenol
poly
many
phenol
a type of chemical compound
Etymology
the word 'polyphenol' is a modern scientific compound formed in the late 19th century. its first element, 'poly-', is derived from ancient greek 'polys', meaning 'many', a root with a long lineage traceable to the proto-indo-european pelə- (to fill). the second element, 'phenol', originates from 'phène', an early name for benzene coined by french chemist auguste laurent from greek 'phainein' (to show, bring to light), due to its relation to illuminating gas, combined with the chemical suffix '-ol' denoting an alcohol. thus, the term's literal construction, "many phenols," logically describes a molecule characterized by multiple phenol structural units, a defining feature of this class of plant-derived antioxidants.
Analysis
Structure: poly (many) + phenol (a type of chemical compound)
poly: from greek 'polys', meaning 'much, many'. functions as a combining form indicating multiplicity.
phenol: from french 'phène' (coined from greek 'phainein', 'to show', because it was used in making illuminating gas) + the chemical suffix '-ol'. functions as the base noun denoting the specific aromatic organic compound.
Examples
green tea is a rich source of a polyphenol called egcg.
the antioxidant activity of this fruit is attributed to its high polyphenol content.
researchers are studying the potential health benefits of dietary polyphenols.