IPA: /θaɪˈmɪdiːn/
KK: /ˈθaɪmɪˌdiːn/
A type of nucleoside that is made up of thymine and deoxyribose, and is an important component of DNA.
Thymidine is essential for DNA synthesis in living organisms.
Thymidine is formed from "thymus" (from Greek "thumos", meaning spirit or soul) and "-idine" (a suffix used in chemistry to denote a compound related to a specific base). The word refers to a nucleoside derived from thymine, which is a component of DNA, thus connecting to its role in the genetic material of living organisms.
Think of 'thymus' as relating to the spirit or essence of life, and remember that 'thymidine' is a key part of DNA, which carries the essence of life.