[irreg. f. Gr. ἔλαι-ον oil + -IN: cf. F. élaïne.] A synonym of OLEIN.
1810. Henry, Elem. Chem. (1840), II. 409. An oil which is … called by Chevreul elaïn (from ἔλαιον, oil).
1819. J. G. Children, Chem. Anal., 310. Elain … is the name given to the other substance contained in fat.
1835–6. Todd, Cycl. Anat. & Phys., I. 59/1. Fat consists essentially of two proximate principles, stearine and elaine.
c. 1865. Letheby, in Circ. Sc., I. 105/1. The elaine or oleine of palm oil.
1875. Ure, Dict. Arts, III. 431. The particles consist of a strong membranous skin, enclosing stearine and elaine, or solid and liquid fat.
