an orange-yellow pigment in the bile formed as a breakdown product of haemoglobin. Excess amounts in the blood produce the yellow appearance associated with jaundice. Formula: C32H36O6N4
Word origin
C19: from bile1 + Latin ruber red + -in
bilirubin in American English
(ˌbɪlɪˈrubɪn)
noun
the yellowish-red chief pigment, C33H36N4O6, of human bile, derived from biliverdin and found in small quantities in blood and urine: high concentrations change the color of blood and urine and result in jaundice