n.
Pronunciation: ' le-s ə -th ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek lekithos yolk of an egg
Date: 1861
: any of several waxy hygroscopic phospholipids that are widely distributed in animals and plants, form colloidal solutions in water, and have emulsifying, wetting, and antioxidant properties also : a mixture of or substance rich in lecithins