n :  an irritating gaseous or volatile liquid tertiary amine (CH₃)₃N that has a fishy odor, is only slightly more basic than ammonia, is flammable and forms explosive mixtures with air, is formed as a degradation product of many nitrogenous animal and plant substances, and is used chiefly in making quaternary ammonium compounds (as choline) .
 
   
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2004.