Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - vitamin

n. any of a group of organic compounds essential in small amounts for many living organisms to maintain normal health and development. Phrases and idioms 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 B1 = THIAMINE. vitamin B2 = RIBOFLAVIN. vitamin B6 = PYRIDOXINE. vitamin B12 = 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 D2 = CALCIFEROL. vitamin D3 = 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 K1 = PHYLLOQUINONE. vitamin K2 = MENAQUINONE. vitamin M esp. US = FOLIC ACID. Etymology: orig. vitamine f. L vita life + AMINE, because orig. thought to contain an amino acid