ptomaine
toh mayn
- n any of various amines (such as putrescine or cadaverine) formed by the action of putrefactive bacteria
- n a term for food poisoning that is no longer in scientific use; food poisoning was once thought to be caused by ingesting ptomaines
- To guard against ptomaine poisoning they should be extremely careful to eat only selected food.
- True ptomaine poisoning is almost unknown.
- This use of the word "ptomaine" is now scientifically obsolete.