an essential amino acid; a component of proteins necessary for growth
Word origin
C20: from trypsin + -phan from Greek phainō appear
tryptophan in American English
(ˈtrɪptəˌfæn)
noun
a white, aromatic, crystalline, essential amino acid, C6H4NHCHCCH2CH(NH2)COOH, produced synthetically and in digestion by the action of trypsin on proteins
see also amino acid: also ˈtryptoˌphane (ˈtrɪptoʊˌfeɪn)
Word origin
< tryptic + -o- + -phane
Examples of 'tryptophan' in a sentence
tryptophan
It contains lashings of tryptophan, which helps to relax the body when you want to go to sleep.