Ptomaine
/ˈtoʊ.meɪn/noun
A toxic substance produced by the decomposition of proteins, especially in food.
Did you know?Ptomaine comes from Greek ptōma, meaning “a fallen body” or “corpse,” because 19th-century scientists believed these decay products were the deadly agents in spoiled food.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
πτῶμα (ptōma)
“a fallen body, corpse”
Late 19th Century
French
ptomaine
“a toxic alkaloid thought to arise from decaying animal matter”
Late 19th Century
English
ptomaine
“a poisonous substance associated with food putrefaction”
Modern English
English
ptomaine
“a toxic product of decomposition, especially in spoiled food”
Explore more surprising origins