melamine

[ mel-uh-meen, mel-uh-meen ]
/ ˈmɛl əˌmin, ˌmɛl əˈmin /

noun Chemistry.

a white, crystalline, slightly water-soluble solid, C3N3(NH2)3, used chiefly in organic synthesis and in the manufacture of resins, especially melamine resins.
any of the melamine resins.

Origin of melamine

1825–35; < German Melamin, derivative of Melam distillate of ammonium thiocyanate (arbitrary coinage, but -am representing ammonium); see -ine2

British Dictionary definitions for melamine

melamine
/ (ˈmɛləˌmiːn) /

noun

a colourless crystalline compound used in making synthetic resins; 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine. Formula: C 3 H 6 N 6
melamine resin or a material made from this resin

Word Origin for melamine

C19: from German Melamin, from Melam distillate of ammonium thiocyanate, with -am representing ammonia