ninhydrin

noun

nin·hy·drin nin-ˈhī-drən

: a poisonous crystalline oxidizing agent C₉H₆O₄ used especially as an analytical reagent

Word History

Etymology

from Ninhydrin, a trademark

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of ninhydrin was in 1913

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

Ningxia Huizu

ninhydrin

ninja

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ninhydrin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ninhydrin. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

ninhydrin

noun

nin·hy·drin nin-ˈhī-drən

: a poisonous crystalline oxidizing agent C₉H₆O₄ used especially as an analytical reagent

More from Merriam-Webster

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

nuance

Listen to the pronunciation of nuance

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Popular in Wordplay

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

12 Words Whose History Will Surprise You

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language