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spermine

American

[spur-meen, -min] / ˈspɜr min, -mɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

a polyamine, H 2 N(CH2 ) 3 NH(CH2 ) 4 NH(CH2 ) 3 NH 2 , formed from spermidine and occurring in all cells, especially prevalent in semen, sputum, pancreatic tissue, and certain yeasts.

spermine British

/ -mɪn, ˈspɜːmiːn /

noun

a white or colourless basic water-soluble amine that is found in semen, sputum, and animal tissues; diaminopropyltetramethylenediamine. Formula: C 10 H 26 N 4

"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

Etymology

Origin of spermine

First recorded in 1890–95; sperm- + -ine ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Specifically, the researchers observed how spermine helps the body's immune system eliminate nerve-damaging accumulations of amyloid proteins.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025

What was missing until now was a clear picture of how spermine influences the harmful processes in nerve cells in a way that could be used for medical benefit.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025

In the context of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, earlier work had already suggested that spermine can protect nerve cells and ease age-related memory problems.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025

Yet a naturally occurring molecule in the body called spermine offers hope.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025

I believe in Koch and in spermine and praise God for it.

From Letters of Anton Chekhov by Garnett, Constance

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023