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tryp·ta·mine

(trĭptə-mēn′)

1. A crystalline substance, C₁₀H₁₂N₂, that is formed in plant and animal tissues from tryptophan and is an intermediate in various metabolic processes.

2. Any of various naturally occurring or synthetic derivatives of this compound, many of which have psychoactive properties.

[TRYPT(OPHAN) + AMINE.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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