glyceryl ester

7.7

A part of fats and oils that forms when glycerol and an acid join

noun
/ˈɡlɪsərəl ˈɛstər/

Specialized

: éster de glicerilo

Many vegetable oils are composed primarily of glyceryl esters derived from fatty acids.

Examples

The breakdown of glyceryl esters in the body releases energy for metabolic processes.
Many glyceryl esters are used in cosmetics.
Chemists analyze glyceryl esters to understand their role in nutrition and biochemistry.
A glyceryl ester is commonly used in food products.
Chemists analyze glyceryl esters to understand their role in nutrition and biochemistry.
Many vegetable oils are composed primarily of glyceryl esters derived from fatty acids.
The breakdown of glyceryl esters in the body releases energy for metabolic processes.

Synonyms

glyceride

vsglyceryl ester

Specialized

8.2

A substance in fats and oils made from glycerol and fatty acids

is more general, allowing any acid instead of only fatty acids

acylglycerol

vsglyceryl ester

Specialized

9.9

A substance in fats and oils made from glycerol and fatty acids, for example triglycerides

is the broader term that can refer to esters with any acid

Surface Forms

glyceryl ester singular

glyceryl esters plural

Morphology

glyceryl + ester

The meaning of 'glyceryl ester' is directly compositional: combining 'glyceryl' (a glycerol-derived radical) with 'ester' (an organic compound formed from an acid and an alcohol) yields an ester derived from glycerol. This chemical naming pattern is regular and cross-linguistically consistent, so a learner who knows both constituent meanings can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Glyceryl ester comes from its two parts: glyceryl (from glycerol, the small center of the molecule that works like a 'handle') and ester (the link that joins an acid to that handle). So imagine a glycerol 'handle' with fatty 'tails' attached — that image explains why glyceryl esters are the molecules in 'fats and oils' that give energy.