ˈseˌrēn, ˈsiˌ-, -_rə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary ser icin + -ine; probably originally formed in German
: a crystalline amino acid HOCH 2 CH(NH 2 )COOH known in three optically isomeric forms ; especially : the levorotatory l -form obtained by hydrolysis of many proteins (as sericin, fibroin, or casein) or of various cephalins; β-hydroxy-alanine