phospholipid

Etymology

phospho- + lipid

noun

1. (organic chemistry) Any lipid, such as lecithin or cephalin, consisting of a diglyceride combined with a phosphate group and a simple organic molecule such as choline or ethanolamine; they are important constituents of biological membranes.
   An index of the amount of phospholipids present was secured from the total phosphorus content of a third aliquot, the method employed being the colorimetric procedure devised by Whitehorn. 1926, HC Eckstein, “The cholesterol and phospholipid content of the cutaneous epithelium of man”, in Journal of Biological Chemistry