pyrimidine
noun
py·rim·i·dine pī-ˈri-mə-ˌdēn 
pə-
1
: a feeble organic base C4H4N2 of penetrating odor
2
: a derivative of pyrimidine
especially : a base (such as cytosine, thymine, or uracil) that is a constituent of DNA or RNA
Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary, alteration of pyridine
First Known Use
1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
pyrimidine
noun
py·rim·i·dine pī-ˈrim-ə-ˌdēn, pə-
1
: a weakly basic organic compound C4H2N2 of penetrating odor that is composed of a single six-membered ring having four carbon atoms with nitrogen atoms in positions one and three
2
: a derivative of pyrimidine having its characteristic ring structure
especially : a base (as cytosine, thymine, or uracil) that is a constituent of DNA or RNA