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niacin

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ni⋅a⋅cin

[nahy-uh-sin]
–noun Biochemistry.
nicotinic acid.

Origin:
1935–40; ni(cotinic) ac(id) + -in 2

nicotinic acid

–noun Biochemistry.
a crystalline acid, C6H5NO2, that is a component of the vitamin-B complex, found in fresh meat, yeast, etc., produced by the oxidation of nicotine, and used in the prevention and treatment of pellagra.
Also called niacin, vitamin B3 .


Origin:
1885–90
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ni·a·cin   (nī'ə-sĭn)   
n.  A white crystalline acid, C5H4NCOOH, that is a component of the vitamin B complex found in meat, wheat germ, dairy products, and yeast and is used to treat and prevent pellagra. Also called nicotinic acid.

[ni(cotinic) ac(id) + -in.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

niacin 
"pellagra-preventing vitamin in enriched bread," 1942, coined from ni(cotinic) ac(id) + -in, chemical suffix; suggested by the merican Medical Association as a more commercially viable name than nicotinic acid.
"The new name was found to be necessary because some anti-tobacco groups warned against enriched bread because it would foster the cigarette habit." ["Cooperative Consumer," Feb. 28, 1942]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ni·a·cin
Pronunciation: 'nI-&-s&n
Function: noun
: a crystalline acid C6H5NO2 that is amember of the vitamin B complex occurring usually in the form of a complex of niacinamide in various animal and plant parts (as blood, liver, yeast, bran, and legumes) and is effective in preventingand treating human pellagra and blacktongue of dogs called also nicotinic acid

Main Entry: nicotinic acid
Function: noun
: NIACIN
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

niacin ni·a·cin (nī'ə-sĭn)
n.
A crystalline acid that is a component of the vitamin B complex and is used to treat and prevent pellagra. Also called nicotinic acid.

nicotinic acid n.
See niacin.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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