ˈkärnəˌtēn noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary carn- (from German karnin, basic substance isolated from meat extract) + -ite, + -ine; originally formed as German karnitin
: a white betaine (CH 3 ) 3 N + CH 2 CH(OH)CH 2 COO− that is found especially in muscle tissue and is an essential food factor for certain insect larvae (as the mealworm) — called also vitamin B T