n. any of a group of organic compounds essential in small amounts for many living organisms to maintain normal health and development. 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 B
[ 1 ]
= THIAMINE. vitamin B
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= RIBOFLAVIN. vitamin B
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= PYRIDOXINE. vitamin B
[ 12 ]
= 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 D
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= CALCIFEROL. vitamin D
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= 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 K
[ 1 ]
= PHYLLOQUINONE. vitamin K
[ 2 ]
= MENAQUINONE. vitamin M esp. US = FOLIC ACID.
[ orig. vitamine f. L vita life + AMINE, because orig. thought to contain an amino acid ]