Pto"ma*ine (?), n. [From Gr. ? a dead
body.] (Physiol. Chem.) One of a class of animal bases or
alkaloids formed in the putrefaction of various kinds of albuminous
matter, and closely related to the vegetable alkaloids; a cadaveric
poison. The ptomaines, as a class, have their origin in dead matter,
by which they are to be distinguished from the
leucomaines.