ˈpȯrfə̇n noun
also por·phine “, -ˌfēn
( -s )
Etymology: porph yr in
: a deep purple crystalline compound C 20 H 14 N 4 that is made synthetically from pyrrole and formaldehyde, contains four pyrrole rings joined by methenyl groups so as to give a heterocyclic arrangement, and forms the essential skeletal structure of the porphyrins, heme, and chlorophyll — compare structural formula