xanthine

English

Alternative forms

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)

  1. (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

Anagrams

French

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ξανθός (xanthós, yellow) + -ine, because xanthine is yellowish-white.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ɡzɑ̃.tin/
  • (file)

Noun

xanthine f (plural xanthines)

  1. xanthine

Further reading

Anagrams

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