Tau"rine (?), a. [L. taurinus, fr. taurus a bull. See Taurus.] Zool.

Of or pertaining to the genus Taurus, or cattle.

 

© Webster 1913.


Tau"rine (?), n. [So named because it was discovered in the bile of the ox. See Taurus.] Physiol. Chem.

A body occurring in small quantity in the juices of muscle, in the lungs, and elsewhere, but especially in the bile, where it is found as a component part of taurocholic acid, from which it can be prepared by decomposition of the acid. It crystallizes in colorless, regular six-sided prisms, and is especially characterized by containing both nitrogen and sulphur, being chemically amido-isethionic acid, CHNSO.

 

© Webster 1913.