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calciferol

noun cal·cif·er·ol \ kal-ˈsi-fə-ˌrȯl , -ˌrōl \

Definition of calciferol

:an alcohol C₂₈H₄₃OH usually prepared by irradiation of ergosterol and used as a dietary supplement in nutrition and medicinally in the control of rickets and related disorders — called also vitamin D₂

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Origin and Etymology of calciferol

calciferous + ergosterol

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1931

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

calciferol

noun cal·cif·er·ol \ kal-ˈsif-ə-ˌrȯl, -ˌrōl \

medical Definition of calciferol

:an alcohol C₂₈H₄₃OH usually prepared by irradiation of ergosterol and used as a dietary supplement in nutrition and medicinally especially in the control of rickets — called also ergocalciferol, viosterol, vitamin D, vitamin D₂; see drisdol

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