xanthine
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English
Alternative forms
- xanthin (dated or uncommon)
Etymology
From international scientific vocabulary, from French xanthine, reflecting New Latin combining forms: xanth- + -ine; ultimately from Ancient Greek ξανθός (xanthós, “yellow”), because xanthine is yellowish-white.
Pronunciation
Noun
xanthine (plural xanthines)
- (chemistry) Any of a group of alkaloids that include caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine as well as the parent compound, a precursor of uric acid found in many organs of the body.
Usage notes
- There is much confusion between this word and xanthein, and they are often interchanged.
Derived terms
Translations
group of alkaloids, including caffeine
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Anagrams
French
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ξανθός (xanthós, “yellow”) + -ine, because xanthine is yellowish-white.
Pronunciation
Noun
xanthine f (plural xanthines)
Further reading
- “xanthine”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé , 2012.