Pto"ma*ine (?), n. [From Gr. a dead body.] Physiol. Chem.
One of a class of animal bases or alkaloids formed in the putrefaction of various kinds of albuminous matter, and closely related to the vegetable alkaloids; a cadaveric poison. The ptomaines, as a class, have their origin in dead matter, by which they are to be distinguished from the leucomaines.
© Webster 1913.