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purine

[ pyoor-een, -in ]

noun

, Chemistry, Biochemistry.
  1. a white, crystalline compound, C 5 H 4 N 4 , from which is derived a group of compounds including uric acid, xanthine, and caffeine.
  2. one of several purine derivatives, especially the bases adenine and guanine, which are fundamental constituents of nucleic acids.


purine

/ ˈpjʊəriːn; ˈpjʊərɪn /

noun

  1. a colourless crystalline solid that can be prepared from uric acid. Formula: C 5 H 4 N 4
  2. Also calledpurine base any of a number of nitrogenous bases, such as guanine and adenine, that are derivatives of purine and constituents of nucleic acids and certain coenzymes
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


purine

/ pyrēn′ /

  1. Any of a group of organic compounds containing two fused rings of carbon and nitrogen atoms. One ring has six members, the other has five, and each has two nitrogens. Purines include a number of biologically important compounds, such as adenosine, caffeine, uric acid, and the two bases adenine and guanine, which are components of DNA and RNA.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of purine1

From the German word Purin, dating back to 1895–1900. See pure, uric, -ine 2
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Word History and Origins

Origin of purine1

C19: from German Purin; see pure , uric , -ine ²

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Purimpuriri