ˈkōˌlēn, ˈkä- noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary chol- + -ine, -in; originally formed as German cholin
: a crystalline or syrupy liquid base (CH 3 ) 3 N(CH 2 CH 2 OH)OH that is widely distributed among animal and plant products, in which it is combined in lecithins, that can be made synthetically, that constitutes a vitamin of the B complex and is essential to the metabolism of fat especially in the liver, and that is used in the form of its salts in the treatment of certain liver disorders and in the feeding of animals, especially poultry; (β-hydroxyethyl)-trimethyl-ammonium hydroxide — compare acetylcholine