ptomaine

plural ptomaines · alternative ptomain · alternative ptomaïne

1. countableuncountablechemistryAny of various amines formed by putrefactive bacteria.

   1 more example

   On 6 February 2001 the Yaremche Environmental Health Inspectorate (санітарно-епідеміологічна станція) concluded that the cemetery should not have been constructed on the VL [Vorokhtya Lisokombinat] plot in view of its proximity to residential buildings and the risk of contamination of the surrounding environment by ptomaine.

   2014 April 9, European Court of Human Rights, Dzemyuk v. Ukraine, number 42488/02, marginal 10

   Synonyms: cadaveric alkaloid

2. countabledateduncountableFood poisoning.

   You remember Leonard Skinner. He got ptomaine poisoning last night after dinner.

   1963, Allan Sherman, ‘’Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (A Letter from Camp)

   3 more examples

   Elinor said: "One used to be rather afraid of eating fish pastes. There have been cases of ptomaine poisoning from them, haven't there?"

   1940, Agatha Christie, Sad Cypress: A Poirot Mystery, page 92

   That is the place to find the kinds of shikses Who Will Do Anything! If only a person is willing to risk polio from the pool, gangrene from the footbath, ptomaine from the hot dogs, and elephantiasis from the soap and the towels, he might possibly get laid.

   1969, Philip Roth, Portnoy’s Complaint, New York: Vintage, published 1994, page 165

   Sandwiches arrived from outside, strange granular bread, the butter on it liquid, some sort of beige meat paste that hinted at ptomaine.

   1989, Margaret Atwood, Cat's Eye