theine

American  

[thee-een, -in] / ˈθi in, -ɪn /

noun

1. caffeine, especially in tea.

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theine British  

/ ˈθiːiːn, -ɪn /

noun

1. another name for caffeine, esp when present in tea

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Etymology

Origin of theine

First recorded in 1830–40; from New Latin the(a) “tea” ( see origin at tea) + -ine ²

Example Sentences

It belongs to the holly family, but contains a bitter principle similar to, if not identical with, theine, or the alkaloid found in tea and coffee.”

From The Western World Picturesque Sketches of Nature and Natural History in North and South America by Kingston, William Henry Giles

Cocoa and chocolate contain substances similar to theine and equally harmful, though usually present in much less proportion than in tea.

From Science in the Kitchen. by Kellogg, Mrs. E. E.

Judging by diminished effects upon tea drinkers, some of the volatile theine is also lost.

From Tea Leaves by Leggett, Francis

Both theine and tannin are more abundant in green than in black tea.

From Science in the Kitchen. by Kellogg, Mrs. E. E.

The active principle of tea is called theine; that of coffee, caffeine, and of cocoa, theobromine.

From A Practical Physiology by Blaisdell, Albert F.