Ptomaine

['təʊmeɪn] or [pto'men]

Definition

(noun.) a term for food poisoning that is no longer in scientific use; food poisoning was once thought to be caused by ingesting ptomaines.

(noun.) any of various amines (such as putrescine or cadaverine) formed by the action of putrefactive bacteria.

Inputed by Addie--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) One of a class of animal bases or alkaloids formed in the putrefaction of various kinds of albuminous matter, and closely related to the vegetable alkaloids; a cadaveric poison. The ptomaines, as a class, have their origin in dead matter, by which they are to be distinguished from the leucomaines.

Edited by Diana