What is "triterpene"

n. (context organic chemistry English) Any terpene formed from six isoprene units, and having thirty carbon atoms; they are relatively rare.

Triterpenes are a class of chemical compounds composed of three terpene units with the molecular formula CH; they may also be thought of as consisting of six isoprene units. Animals, plants and fungi all create triterpenes, with arguably the most important example being squalene as it forms the basis of almost all steroids.