Definition of: chlorophyll

(klôr′ə·fil, klō′rə-) noun Biochem.
The green nitrogenous coloring matter contained in the chloroplasts of plants and essential to their growth by photosynthesis of carbohydrates. It occurs in two forms: the bluish-green chlorophyll-A, C₅₅H₇₂O₅N₄Mg, the most abundant form; and the yellowish-green chlorophyll-B, C₅₅H₇₀O₆N₄Mg: some derivatives are used as dyes, in cosmetics, and in medicine as vulneraries. Also chlo′ro·phyl. [<CHLORO- + Gk. phyllon leaf]
—chlo·ro·phyl·la·ceous (klôr′ə·fi·lā′shəs, klō′rə-), chlo′ro·phyl′lose (-fil′ōs), chlo′ro·phyl′lous (-fil′əs) adjective