ptomaine

English

Alternative forms

• ptomaïne

Etymology

From French ptomaïne, from French ptomaina, from Ancient Greek πτῶμα (ptōma, “corpse”).

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈtəʊmeɪn/
• Rhymes: -eɪn

Noun

ptomaine (plural ptomaines)

1. (chemistry) Any of various amines formed by putrefactive bacteria.
2. (dated) food poisoning
   • 1989, Margaret Atwood, Cat's Eye:

     Sandwiches arrived from outside, strange granular bread, the butter on it liquid, some sort of beige meat paste that hinted at ptomaine.

Translations

any of various amines formed by putrefactive bacteria

• Greek: πτωμαΐνη (el) (ptomaḯni) f

• Romanian: ptomaină (ro) f

Anagrams

• antipoem

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Italian

Noun

ptomaine f

1. Plural form of ptomaina