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purine

noun pu·rine \ ˈpyu̇r-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 (such as adenine or guanine) that is a constituent of DNA or RNA

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Origin and Etymology of purine

German Purin, from Latin purus pure + New Latin uricus uric (from English uric) + German -in 2-ine

Medical Dictionary

purine

noun pu·rine \ ˈpyu̇(ə)r-ˌēn \

medical 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

Learn More about purine

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about purine

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