Lipophobic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to the aversion or inability to mix with fats or lipids
2. Describing substances or compounds that do not dissolve in or interact easily with oily or fatty materials
3. Characterizing phenomena where there is a marked resistance to lipid-based environments or substances

Etymology: "Lipophobic" is built from two Greek-derived pieces joined in a plain, technical way. The first, "lipo-", comes from Greek "lipos", meaning fat or grease, and it is the same element found in "lipid" and "liposuction." The second, "-phobic", comes from Greek "phobos", meaning fear or aversion, and gives English words such as "hydrophobic." Put together, the word literally describes something that shies away from or is repelled by fat. The word is a modern scientific formation rather than an ancient one, so the Greeks themselves would not have recognised it. Its use lies in chemistry and biology, where it describes molecules, surfaces or tissues that do not dissolve in or attract fatty substances. Its parts follow the same pattern as older coinages like "hydrophobic," where "hydro-" marks water and "-phobic" marks the aversion.

Synonyms: fat-repellent, hydrophobic

Antonyms: lipophilic