arachidonyl
|a-rach-i-do-nyl|
🇺🇸
/əˌrækɪˈdoʊnɪl/
🇬🇧
/əˌrækɪˈdəʊnɪl/
acyl/radical group from arachidonic acid
Etymology
'arachidonyl' originates from New Latin/chemical nomenclature, specifically from 'arachidonic' (itself from the genus name 'Arachis'), combined with the chemical suffix '-yl' used for radical or substituent groups.
'arachidonyl' developed from 'arachidonic' (from New Latin 'arachidonicus', ultimately from Greek 'arákhis' via Latin 'Arachis' meaning 'peanut'), with the modern suffix '-yl' (from 19th-century organic chemistry usage in languages such as French and German) added to denote an acyl/radical group.
Initially the root 'Arachis' referred to the peanut plant (the source of oils from which the acid was first characterized); over time the term evolved into chemical names for the acid ('arachidonic') and then the derived radical ('arachidonyl'), now used to mean 'the acyl/radical group derived from arachidonic acid.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a substituent or radical group derived from arachidonic acid (a 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acid); often refers to the —CH2– chain portion when bound in esters, amides, or other derivatives (the 'arachidonyl group').
The enzyme specifically removes the arachidonyl moiety from glycerophospholipids.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to, derived from, or containing arachidonic acid (used attributively, e.g., 'arachidonyl ester').
An arachidonyl derivative was synthesized for the study.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/01 03:55