n. any of a group of organic compounds essential in small amounts for many living organisms to maintain normal health and development.
Phrases and idioms:
vitamin A RETINOL. vitamin B complex (or B vitamins) any of a group of vitamins which, although not chemically related, are often found together in the same foods. vitamin B1 THIAMINE. vitamin B2 RIBOFLAVIN. vitamin B6 PYRIDOXINE. vitamin B12 CYANOCOBALAMIN. vitamin C ASCORBIC ACID. vitamin D any of a group of vitamins found in liver and fish oils, essential for the absorption of calcium and the prevention of rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. vitamin D2 CALCIFEROL. vitamin D3 CHOLECALCIFEROL. vitamin E TOCOPHEROL. vitamin K any of a group of vitamins found mainly in green leaves and essential for the blood-clotting process. vitamin K1 PHYLLOQUINONE. vitamin K2 MENAQUINONE. vitamin M esp. US FOLIC ACID.
Etymology: orig. vitamine f. L vita life + AMINE, because orig. thought to contain an amino acid