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Webster 1913 Edition
Taurine
Tau′rine
,Adj.
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the genus Taurus, or cattle.
Tau′rine
,Noun.
[So named because it was discovered in the bile of the ox. See
Taurus
.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A chemical compound 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,
C2H7NSO3
.