acridine

noun

ac·​ri·​dine ˈa-krə-ˌdēn How to pronounce acridine (audio)
: a colorless crystalline compound C13H9N occurring in coal tar and important as the parent compound of dyes and pharmaceuticals

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Acridin, from Latin ācer, ācr- "sharp, biting" + German -idin (probably as in Pyridin pyridine) — more at acr-

First Known Use

circa 1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acridine was circa 1877

Dictionary Entries Near acridine

Cite this Entry

“Acridine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acridine. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

acridine

noun
ac·​ri·​dine ˈak-rə-ˌdēn How to pronounce acridine (audio)
: a colorless crystalline compound C13H9N occurring in coal tar and important as the parent compound of dyes and pharmaceuticals

More from Merriam-Webster on acridine

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!