glycolipid [glahy-kuh-lip-id] Word Origin noun Biochemistry.
- any of a class of lipids, comprising the cerebrosides and gangliosides, that upon hydrolysis yield galactose or a similar sugar, a fatty acid, and sphingosine or dihydrosphingosine.
Origin of glycolipid First recorded in 1935–40; glyco- + lipid British Dictionary definitions for glycolipid glycolipid noun
- any of a group of lipids containing a carbohydrate group, commonly glucose or galactose
glycolipid in Medicine glycolipid [glī′kə-lĭp′ĭd] n.
- A lipid, such as a cerebroside, that contains carbohydrate groups.