Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun organic chemistry A ketonic amide derivative of pteridine responsible for some of the colouring in nature. It is also a component of folic acid.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Greek: πτερόν (pteron) = wing (because it was first found in butterfly wings).

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word pterin.

Examples

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • It folds in. Butterfly wings' color are a result of its characteristics. Pteron is Greek for wing.

    November 21, 2010