Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A red carotenoid pigment, C40H56, found chiefly in blood, the reproductive organs, tomatoes, and palm oils.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun organic chemistry A red carotenoid pigment found in tomatoes, other red vegetables, and in animal tissue; there is some evidence that it may lower the risk of prostate cancer.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun carotenoid that makes tomatoes red; may lower the risk of prostate cancer

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Alteration of earlier lycopin : New Latin Lycop(ersicon), tomato genus (Greek lukos, wolf; see wl̥kwo- in Indo-European roots + Greek persikon, peach, from persikē, peach tree; see peach) + –in.]

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Examples

  • Not to mention, these bagels are both high in lycopene, which "may significantly reduce the risk of heart disease ... women with the highest levels of the antioxidant in their blood had a 34 per cent reduced risk of the disease compared to those with lower levels of the nutrient" (Nutraingredients).

    Archive 2009-01-01 Sarah 2009

  • If you follow the Italian model of a one cup serving with tomato sauce, the added benefit is lycopene from the tomatoes which current research seems to suggest is a cancer preventative.

    Mary Ann Esposito: Tips for World Pasta Day Mary Ann Esposito 2010

  • Not to mention, these bagels are both high in lycopene, which "may significantly reduce the risk of heart disease ... women with the highest levels of the antioxidant in their blood had a 34 per cent reduced risk of the disease compared to those with lower levels of the nutrient" (Nutraingredients).

    Mmm... Lycopene Sarah 2009

  • If you follow the Italian model of a one cup serving with tomato sauce, the added benefit is lycopene from the tomatoes which current research seems to suggest is a cancer preventative.

    Mary Ann Esposito: Tips for World Pasta Day Mary Ann Esposito 2010

  • Processing tomatoes with some oil enhances the absorption of lycopene, which is fat soluble.

    Brigitte Mars: Simple Summer Soup With Brigitte Mars 2010

  • They're full of a good stuff called lycopene, what makes tomatoes red, with the exception of man's refined hot house tomatoes of today, which are very seldom full red, mostly effete yellowish, washed out red because they are picked before they're ripe.

    This World Is NOW HELL The Daily Growler 2006

  • We're specifically talking about two substances commonly found in vegetables lycopene, which is typically found in tomatoes and beta - carotene, which is typically found in orange vegetables such as carrots.

    CNN Transcript Jul 28, 2004 2004

  • And it's thought that lycopene, which is a carotene in tomatoes and a number of other foods, might be the reason for that lower risk.

    CNN Transcript Jun 29, 2003 2003

  • In another study of the same group of men followed for up to 16 years, Dr. Giovannucci and co-authors found a reduced risk of advanced and fatal prostate cancer among those who consumed lots of tomato sauce , a rich source of a protective substance called lycopene, and those who engaged in higher levels of vigorous physical activity.

    NYT > Home Page By JANE E. BRODY 2011

  • A pink or red color in a fruit can be a signal that it contains lycopene, which is in tomatoes and which is on the prevention list for prostate cancer.

    SFGate: Top News Stories Laramie Treviño 2011

Comments

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  • I just like how this word sounds. God, that's weird.

    January 18, 2007

  • mmm, ketchup

    January 19, 2007

  • I like how it sounds, too. Freaky. ;-)

    February 5, 2007