HealthJuly 6, 2026

purine

/ˈpjʊə.riːn/

Definition

A type of nitrogenous chemical compound found in many foods that the body breaks down into uric acid.

Etymology

The word is derived from the German 'Purin,' coined in 1884 by chemist Emil Fischer. It combines the Latin 'purus' (pure) and 'urinum' (urine) to describe the specific chemical structure he isolated.

In the news

The article warns that sardines are high in purines, which can be problematic for people with gout who need to limit their intake of substances that elevate uric acid levels.

4 Health Benefits of Sardines

Read the full article ↗

Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials

Related words

catheterization

A minimally invasive medical procedure where a thin, flexible tube is inserted into a…

Health

exacerbation

An increase in the severity or intensity of a medical condition or symptom.

Health

gout

A form of inflammatory arthritis caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood, often…

Health

keratosis

A skin condition characterized by the overgrowth of keratin, often resulting in rough,…

Health

macronutrient

A type of nutrient required by the body in large amounts to provide energy and maintain…

Health

osteoporosis

A medical condition in which bones become weak and brittle due to a loss of tissue, often…

Health

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.