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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

"The spermine is like cheese that connects the long, thin noodles without gluing them together, making them easier to digest."

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025

Lacking until now, however, has been a more precise understanding of how spermine intervenes in nerve-damaging processes - understanding that might make it possible to derive medical benefits from it.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025

Alongside spermine, many other polyamines also perform important tasks in the body and are therefore of medical interest.

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