metabolite
|met-a-bo-lite|
/ˈmɛtəbəlaɪt/
product of metabolism
Etymology
'metabolite' originates from Modern New Latin and Greek roots, specifically from the Greek word 'metabolē' (μεταβολή) meaning 'change' combined with the suffix '-ite' (via New Latin/chemical usage) indicating a related substance or derivative.
'metabolite' was formed in scientific usage in the 19th–20th centuries from 'metabolism' (from Greek 'metabolē') with the chemical suffix '-ite' to denote a product or derivative; the term became common in biochemistry and pharmacology to name substances produced by metabolic processes.
Initially it referred broadly to something related to 'change' or 'metabolism'; over time it evolved to the specific modern meaning of 'a chemical product or intermediate of metabolism.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a substance produced or consumed during metabolism in a living organism; a product or intermediate of biochemical reactions.
The drug is transformed in the liver into several metabolites.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a chemical compound formed during the chemical processes of metabolism; often used in pharmacology and biochemistry to refer to breakdown products or intermediates.
Researchers measured blood levels of specific metabolites to assess metabolic function.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/15 16:52