Tocopherols (
TCP) are a class of
organic chemical compounds (more precisely, various
methylated phenols), many of which have
vitamin E activity. Because the
vitamin activity was first identified in 1936 from a dietary fertility factor in rats, it was given the name "tocopherol" from the Greek words "" [
tókos, birth], and "", [
phérein, to bear or carry] meaning in sum "to carry a pregnancy," with the ending "-ol" signifying its status as a chemical
alcohol.