histamine
UK[ˈhɪstəmiːn]US[ˈhɪstəˌmiːn]
n
A chemical compound released by cells in the body during an allergic reaction, causing inflammation and other symptoms.
n
A compound involved in local immune responses and regulating physiological function in the gut, and acting as a neurotransmitter.
Morpheme Breakdown
hist
amine
hist
tissue
amine
chemical compound
Etymology
The word 'histamine' is a modern scientific compound formed in the early 20th century. Its first element, 'hist-', is derived from the Greek histos, which originally meant "loom" or "web," a metaphor that evolved to denote the web-like structure of organic tissue. The second element, '-amine,' identifies it as a specific type of nitrogenous compound, from 'ammonia.' Thus, the term's literal construction as "tissue amine" logically reflects its initial identification as a substance derived from tissues and its chemical classification. The meaning specialized to refer to this specific compound's critical role in allergic and inflammatory responses within bodily tissues.
Analysis
Structure: hist (tissue) + amine (chemical compound)
- hist: From Greek histos, meaning "web" or "tissue." In this word, it functions as a root indicating biological tissue.
- amine: A chemical suffix derived from ammonia, indicating a type of organic compound containing nitrogen. It functions as the core semantic element specifying the chemical nature of the substance.
Examples
Antihistamine medications work by blocking the effects of histamine in the body.
The release of histamine causes the itching and swelling associated with hay fever.
Histamine is also produced by stomach cells and helps regulate gastric acid secretion.