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caffeine

caffeine definition

caf·feine (ka fēn′, kaf′ēn′)

noun

a bitter, crystalline alkaloid, CHNO, present in coffee, tea, kola nuts, etc.: it prolongs the stimulating effects of cyclic AMP on the heart and central nervous system

also sp. caffein caf′·fein′

Etymology: Ger kaffein (now coffeïn, after ModL coffea, coffee); coined by F. F. Runge (1795-1867), Ger chemist < kaffee, coffee (< Fr café < It caffè, coffee) + -in, -ine

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