ˈpyu̇ˌrēn, -_rə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: German purin, from Latin purus pure + New Latin uricus uric (from English uric ) + German -in -ine
1. : a crystalline base C 5 H 4 N 4 composed of a pyrimidine ring fused with an imidazole ring that is prepared from uric acid and is the parent of compounds (as allantoin and alloxan) derived from uric acid — compare structural formula
2. : a derivative of purine ; especially : purine base