a colourless hygroscopic liquid with a characteristic odour. It is a basic heterocyclic compound containing one nitrogen atom and five carbon atoms in its molecules and is used as a solvent and in preparing other organic chemicals. Formula: C5H5N
Word origin
C19: from pyro- + -id3 + -ine2
pyridine in American English
(ˈpɪrəˌdin; ˈpɪrədɪn)
noun
a flammable, colorless or pale-yellow liquid base, C5H5N, having a sharp, penetrating odor: it is produced in the distillation of coal tar or bone oil and is used in the synthesis of vitamins and drugs, as a solvent, etc.