vitamin
The origin and history of vitamin.
Etymology
Coined around 1912 as "vitamine" by biochemist Casimir Funk, from Latin vita ("life") + amine, since the first such compound found contained an amine group. British scientist Jack Drummond dropped the final "e" in 1920 once it became clear not all vitamins were amines.
Class of 1912
vitamin first entered the language around 1912. Other words from the same year:
See the full Class of 1912 →