ˈzanˌthēn, ˈzan(t)thə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary xanth- + -ine; from its yellow residue when evaporated with nitric acid
1. : a feebly basic crystalline nitrogenous compound C 5 H 4 N 4 O 2 that is found especially in animal tissue and in various plants, forms by hydrolysis of guanine, and yields uric acid on oxidation; 2,6-dihydroxypurine — compare hypoxanthine
2. : any of various derivatives of xanthine — compare caffeine , theobromine , theophylline