guanidine

noun

gua·​ni·​dine ˈgwä-nə-ˌdēn 

: a base CH₅N₃ derived from guanine that in the form of its hydrochloride acts as a parasympathetic stimulant and is used especially to denature proteins

Examples of guanidine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Metformin, a synthesized version of guanidine, was first used as a diabetes treatment in France in the 1950s and was finally approved in the United States in 1995. —Liz Seegert, Fortune Well, 4 May 2023

Galega contains guanidine, which, in 1918, was shown to lower blood glucose. —Liz Seegert, Fortune Well, 4 May 2023

Using a main ingredient of sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or guanidine hydroxide, chemical relaxers break and restructure the bonds in curly hair so that the hair becomes weaker and straight. —Ashley Weatherford, The Cut, 15 May 2018

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from guanine

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

guanidine

noun

gua·​ni·​dine ˈgwän-ə-ˌdēn 

: a base CH₅N₃ that is derived from guanine, is found especially in young tissues, and is used in organic synthesis and that in the form of its hydrochloride CH₅N₃·HCl is used as a drug to enhance acetylcholine activity