arginine
UK[ˈɑːdʒɪniːn]US[ˈɑːrdʒɪniːn]
n
A basic amino acid that is important in the formation of urea in the liver and in protein synthesis.
Etymology
The term 'arginine' was coined in the late 19th century by German chemists. It is derived from the Latin word 'argentum', meaning 'silver', because the amino acid was first isolated as a silver salt. The '-ine' suffix is a standard chemical ending used to denote substances, particularly alkaloids and amino acids. Thus, the name's literal logic connects to the silvery compound from which it was first obtained, rather than describing its function or structure.
Analysis
This word is a modern scientific coinage derived from a source word. It is not productively formed from separable English morphemes and is therefore treated as a simplex unit for analysis.
Examples
Arginine is considered a semi-essential amino acid for humans.
The supplement is fortified with L-arginine to support circulation.
Scientists studied the role of arginine in nitric oxide production.