thīˈamə̇n; ˈthīəˌmēn, -_mə̇n noun
also thi·amin -_mə̇n
Etymology: thiamine alteration (influenced by amine ) of thiamin, from thi- + -amin (as in vitamin )
1. also thiamine chloride : the antineuritic member of the vitamin B complex that is an amino hydroxy quaternary ammonium water-soluble salt [C 12 H 17 N 4 OS]Cl containing a thiazole ring and a pyrimidine ring, that occurs widely both free (as in the germs of cereals and hulls of grain) and combined (as in yeast and in animal tissues like liver, kidneys, and heart) but is usually synthesized commercially, that functions in the body as cocarboxylase and is essential for conversion of carbohydrate to fat and for normal nervous action and that is used in nutrition (as in vitamin preparations and in enriching flour and bread) and in medicine in treating thiamine deficiency — called also vitamin B 1
2. or thiamine base : the cation [C 12 H 17 N 4 OS] + of thiamine chloride
thiamine mononitrate is used similarly to thiamine hydrochloride