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purine


pu·rine

noun \ˈpyr-ˌēn\

Definition of PURINE

1
: a crystalline base C5H4N4 that is the parent of compounds of the uric-acid group
2
: a derivative of purine; especially : a base (as adenine or guanine) that is a constituent of DNA or RNA

Origin of PURINE

German Purin, from Latin purus pure + New Latin uricus uric (from English uric) + German -in 2-ine
First Known Use: 1898

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