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-ine

1. (Science: chemistry, suffix) a suffix, indicating that those substances of whose names it is a part are basic, and alkaloidal in their nature.

All organic bases, and basic substances (especially nitrogenous substances), are systematically written with the termination -ine; as, quinine, morphine, guanidine, etc. All indifferent and neutral substances, as proteids, glycerides, glucosides, etc, should commonly be spelled with -in; as, gelatin, amygdalin, etc. This rue has no application to those numerous commercial or popular names with the termination -ine; as, gasoline, vaseline, etc.

2. (Science: chemistry) a suffix, used to indicate hydrocarbons of the second degree of unsaturation; i. E, members of the acetyline series; as, hexine, heptine, etc.