hypoxanthine

[ hahy-puh-zan-theen, -thin ]

noun

1. a white, crystalline, almost water-soluble, alkaloidal purine derivative, C 5 H 4 N 4 O, found in animal and vegetable tissues: used chiefly in biochemical research.

hypoxanthine

/ -θɪn; ˌhaɪpəˈzænθiːn /

noun

1. a white or colourless crystalline compound that is a breakdown product of nucleoproteins. Formula: C 5 H 4 N 4 O

Other Words From

• hypo·xanthic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypoxanthine¹

First recorded in 1835–45; hypo- + xanthine