a white, crystalline, nitrogenous compound, CHNO, resembling uric acid: it is present in blood, urine, and certain plants
any of various derivatives of this compound
Origin:
Fr: see xantho- & -in
See xanthine in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A yellowish-white, crystalline purine base, C5H4N4O2, that is a precursor of uric acid and is found in blood, urine, muscle tissue, and certain plants.