Advertisement
Advertisement
ptomaine
[ toh-meyn, toh-meyn ]
noun
- any of a class of foul-smelling nitrogenous substances produced by bacteria during putrefaction of animal or plant protein: formerly thought to be toxic.
ptomaine
/ ˈtəʊmeɪn /
noun
- any of a group of amines, such as cadaverine or putrescine, formed by decaying organic matter
ptomaine
/ tō′mān′ /
- Any of various toxic nitrogenous organic compounds produced by bacterial decomposition of protein, especially in dead animal tissue. Ptomaines are bases and are formed by removing the carboxyl group (COOH) from amino acids. They do not cause food poisoning, as was previously thought, but the term ptomaine poisoning is still used to describe food poisoning caused by bacteria.
Discover More
Other Words From
- pto·mainic adjective
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of ptomaine1
C19: from Italian ptomaina, from Greek ptoma corpse, from piptein to fall
Discover More
Example Sentences
Frequently ptomaine poisoning occurs in the summer time because of the rapid growth of bacteria.
From Project Gutenberg
Left alone, Warble proceeded systematically to examine the interior of Ptomaine Haul.
From Project Gutenberg
He kissed her in his eccentric fashion, and with her plump arms about his neck, she forgot all about Ptomaine Street.
From Project Gutenberg
Why couldn't the silly thing have had a decent bit of ptomaine poisoning instead of this foolish earache.
From Project Gutenberg
Still I think he has made a bad exchange, for Mrs. Ptomaine wont last.
From Project Gutenberg
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse