Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An amino acid, C6H14N4O2, obtained from the hydrolysis or digestion of plant and animal protein.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An amino acid found in animal foods that plays an important role in several physiological processes.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a bitter tasting amino acid found in proteins and necessary for nutrition; its absence from the diet leads to a reduced production of spermatozoa

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[German Arginin, possibly from Greek arginoeis, bright; see arg- in Indo-European roots.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From German Arginin, perhaps from Ancient Greek ἀργινόεις (arginoeis, "brightly-shining, white").

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Examples

  • In this research, arginine is given in pill form to determine if it can reduce or prevent symptoms in people with sickle cell disease.

    Sickle cell disease research at The Children's Hospital 2010

  • The long-term arginine treatment did not have any adverse effects on either group.

    Medindia Health News 2009

  • The long-term arginine treatment did not have any adverse effects on either group.

    Health News from Medical News Today 2009

  • Researchers note that pistachios are rich in antioxidants and contain a non-essential amino acid called arginine, which contributes to flexible, more relaxed arteries.

    Predicting ADHD Risk From Birth Ann Lukits 2011

  • And they contain L-arginine, which is a substance that protects flexibility and elasticity of arteries, says Duke's Politi.

    Skip the sweets and just go nuts 2010

  • And they contain L-arginine, which is a substance that protects flexibility and elasticity of arteries, says Duke's Politi.

    Skip the sweets and just go nuts 2010

  • The anti-diuretic hormone was later identified as arginine vasopressin AVP.

    Archive 2007-05-01 james gaulte 2007

  • The anti-diuretic hormone was later identified as arginine vasopressin AVP.

    SIADH or SIAD-where did the "h" go and does it matter? james gaulte 2007

  • A second amino acid your partner should consider taking is arginine, which is necessary for the body to manufacture cells and is essential for the formation of sperm.

    Getting Pregnant Niels H. Lauersen 2000

  • While she was at the University of Illinois Medical Center, Paula Hoffman carried out a joint research project with Boris Tabakoff and associates to investigate the effect of a neuropeptide called arginine vasopressin on the response to alcohol, particularly on tolerance.

    Alcohol and The Addictive Brain Kenneth Blum 1991

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