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ptomaine

2 ENTRIES FOUND:

pto·maine

noun \ˈtō-ˌmān, tō-ˈ\

Definition of PTOMAINE

: any of various organic bases which are formed by the action of putrefactive bacteria on nitrogenous matter and some of which are poisonous

Origin of PTOMAINE

Italian ptomaina, from Greek ptōma fall, fallen body, corpse, from piptein to fall — more at feather
First Known Use: 1880

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