Word Study
lecithin
CIDE DICTIONARY
lecithin, n. [Gr. le`kiqos the yolk of an egg.].
A complex, nitrogenous phosphorized substance widely distributed through the animal body, and especially conspicuous in the brain and nerve tissue, in yolk of eggs, and in the white blood corpuscles. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
lecithin, n.
1 any of a group of phospholipids found naturally in animals, egg-yolk, and some higher plants.
2 a preparation of this used to emulsify foods etc.
1 any of a group of phospholipids found naturally in animals, egg-yolk, and some higher plants.
2 a preparation of this used to emulsify foods etc.
Etymology
Gk lekithos egg-yolk + -IN
For further exploring for "lecithin" in Webster Dictionary Online