noun

arginine

AR-jih-neen

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Arginine (noun) means an amino acid found in animal foods that takes part in several important processes in the body. Example: “The supplement contains added arginine alongside other amino acids.”

noun

technical An amino acid found in animal foods that takes part in several important processes in the body.

"The supplement contains added arginine alongside other amino acids."

"Meat and dairy are common dietary sources of arginine."

"Researchers studied how arginine levels changed after exercise."

How to use arginine

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn amino acid from animal foods that the body uses in several of its processes.

When to use it

Arginine is a scientific and nutritional term, mostly used in biochemistry, medicine and food science.

Memory tip

Arginine is often shortened to the three-letter code Arg in scientific writing.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

arginine supplement levels of arginine dietary arginine arginine and protein synthesis

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The supplement contains added _____ alongside other amino acids.

Etymology

The name comes from the German word Arginin, which drew on the Ancient Greek words for silver and for silvery or brightly shining. It refers to the silver-white appearance of arginine nitrate crystals when the substance was first refined from lupin seedlings by Ernst Schulze and Ernst Steiger in 1886.

Origin: German

Rhymes for arginine

nine mine wine line sine dine fine vine thine shine Rhine Maine

See all rhymes for arginine →

Frequently asked questions

What is arginine?

Arginine is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein, that occurs in animal foods and plays a part in various processes in the body.

Where does the name arginine come from?

It comes from Greek words meaning silver and shining, because the crystals of arginine nitrate looked silvery white when the compound was first isolated in 1886.

Who first isolated arginine?

It was first refined from lupin seedlings by the chemists Ernst Schulze and Ernst Steiger in 1886.

What is the meaning of arginine?

"arginine" (noun) means an amino acid found in animal foods that takes part in several important processes in the body.