Pyridine

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pyridine \Pyr"i*dine\, n. [From Gr. ? fire.] (Physiol. Chem.)
     A nitrogenous base, {C5H5N}, obtained from the distillation
     of bone oil or coal tar, and by the decomposition of certain
     alkaloids, as a colorless liquid with a peculiar pungent
     odor. It is the nucleus of a large number of organic
     substances, among which several vegetable alkaloids, as


     nicotine and certain of the ptoma["i]nes, may be mentioned.
     See {Lutidine}.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  pyridine
       n : a toxic colorless flammable liquid organic base with a
           disagreeable odor; usually derived from coal