rhodopsin

noun rho·dop·sin \ rō-ˈdäp-sən \

Definition of rhodopsin

: a red photosensitive pigment in the retinal rods of the eye of most vertebrates that is important in vision in dim light — called also visual purple

Origin and Etymology of rhodopsin

International Scientific Vocabulary rhod- + Greek opsis sight, vision + International Scientific Vocabulary ¹-in — more at optic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1878

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

rhodopsin

noun rho·dop·sin \ rō-ˈdäp-sən \

medical Definition of rhodopsin

: a red photosensitive pigment in the retinal rods of marine fishes and most higher vertebrates that is important in vision in dim light, is quickly bleached by light to a mixture of opsin and retinal, and is regenerated in the dark — called also visual purple