amine
[C/U] Both
pl: amines
This term describes a specific class of organic compounds characterized by a nitrogen atom. In a laboratory setting, it is used as a precise technical classification to distinguish these molecules from other nitrogen-containing groups like amides or nitriles. In practical terms, many simple amines are associated with strong, unpleasant odors, such as the smell of decaying fish. This creates a sensory association between the chemical term and the biological process of decomposition.
Countable when referring to a specific chemical species or a distinct type of molecule. Uncountable when referring to the general chemical group or the substance as a bulk material.