/fen'l al"euh neen', -nin, feen'-/ , n. Biochem.
a crystalline, water-soluble, essential amino acid, C 6 H 5 CH 2 CH(NH 2 )COOH, necessary to the nutrition of humans and most animals, obtained chiefly from egg white or skim milk. Abbr.: Phe; Symbol: F Also called phenylaminopropionic acid /fen"l euh mee"noh proh pee on"ik, -am"euh noh-, feen"-, fen'l euh mee'noh-, -am'euh noh-, feen'-/ .
[ 1880-85; PHENYL + ALANINE ]