purine

American  

[pyoor-een, -in] / ˈpyʊər in, -ɪn /

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.

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purine British  

/ ˈpjʊəriːn, ˈpjʊərɪn /

noun

1. a colourless crystalline solid that can be prepared from uric acid. Formula: C 5 H 4 N 4

2. Also called: purine 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

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purine Scientific  

/ pyr′ēn′ /

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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Etymology

Origin of purine

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