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phen·yl·eth·yl·a·mine

(fĕn′əl-ĕthə-lə-mēn′, -lăm′ən, fē′nəl-)

1. An amine, C₈H₁₁N, that is produced by the decarboxylation of phenylalanine and is present in small amounts in the brain and in many plants.

2. Any of several derivatives of this compound, including amphetamine, mescaline, and neurotransmitters such as dopamine. In both senses also called phenethylamine.

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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