theobromine

[ thee-uh-broh-meen, -min ]

nounPharmacology.

a white, crystalline, water-insoluble, poisonous powder, C7H8N4O2, an isomer of theophylline and lower homologue of caffeine, occurring in tea and obtained from the cacao bean: used chiefly as a diuretic, myocardial stimulant, and vasodilator.

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Origin of theobromine

1835–45; <New Latin Theobrom(a) genus of trees typified by cacao (<Greek theo-theo- + brôma food) + -ine²

Words Nearby theobromine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use theobromine in a sentence

Both contain stimulating alkaloids, theobromine and caffeine, and fat is a notable constituent of cocoa.
The Home of the Blizzard | Douglas Mawson
This first term gives rise to a series of bodies in lateral groups, of which the most interesting are caffeine and theobromine.
The Healthy Life, Vol. V, Nos. 24-28 | Various
Caffeine and theobromine enjoy nervine properties and energetic vascular actions.
The Healthy Life, Vol. V, Nos. 24-28 | Various
Chemical investigation indicates that caffeine and theine are the same and theobromine is a closely related substance.
Foods and Household Management | Helen Kinne
It is slightly stimulating as well, because of the theobromine present and because it is served hot.
Ontario Teachers' Manuals: Household Science in Rural Schools | Ministry of Education Ontario

British Dictionary definitions for theobromine

theobromine

/ (ˌθiːəʊˈbrəʊmiːn, -mɪn) /

noun

a white crystalline slightly water-soluble alkaloid that occurs in many plants, such as tea and cacao: formerly used to treat asthma. Formula: C 7 H 8 N 4 O 2: See also xanthine (def. 2)

Origin of theobromine

C18: from New Latin theobroma genus of trees, literally: food of the gods, from theo- + Greek brōma food + -ine ²

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

Scientific definitions for theobromine

theobromine

[ thē′ō-brō′mēn′ ]

A bitter, colorless alkaloid that occurs in the cacao bean, cola nuts, and tea. It is found in chocolate products and used in medicine as a diuretic, vasodilator, and myocardial stimulant. Theobromine is a xanthine and similar in structure to caffeine and theophylline. Chemical formula: C7H8N4O2.

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