quword 趣词
Word Origins Dictionary
- pantothenic (adj.)




- denoting a B-complex vitamin acid, 1933, from Greek pantothen "from all quarters, on every side," from panto-, comb. form of pantos, genitive of pan "all" (see pan-) + -ic. So called because it was found in so many sources.
- vitamin (n.)




- 1920, originally vitamine (1912) coined by Polish biochemist Casimir Funk (1884-1967), from Latin vita "life" (see vital) + amine, because they were thought to contain amino acids. The terminal -e formally was stripped off when scientists learned the true nature of the substance; -in was acceptable because it was used for neutral substances of undefined composition. The lettering system of nomenclature (Vitamin A, B, C, etc.) was introduced at the same time (1920).
- cryptoxanthin




- "A yellow carotenoid pigment which is a metabolic precursor of vitamin A and is commonly found in plants and in other sources such as egg yolk", 1930s; earliest use found in Chemical Abstracts. From crypto- + xanthin, after German Kryptoxanthin.
- nyctalopia




- "A condition characterized by an abnormal inability to see in dim light or at night, typically caused by vitamin A deficiency", Late 17th century: via late Latin from Greek nuktalōps, from nux, nukt- 'night' + alaos 'blind' + ōps 'eye'.