ˈsteˌrȯl, ˈstiˌr-, -rōl noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary, from -sterol (as in cholesterol )
: any of a class of solid complex cyclic alcohols (as cholesterol, ergosterol, and stigmasterol) that are widely distributed in the unsaponifiable portion of lipids in animals and plants and are characterized by a tetracyclic structure involving fusion of a cyclopentane ring to a partially or completely hydrogenated phenanthrene ring system