How Do You Spell CAFFEINE?

Pronunciation: [kˈafiːn] (IPA)

Caffeine, a stimulant found in coffee and tea, has a unique spelling that may be confusing to non-native English speakers. The word is spelled with two f's and two e's, but the emphasis is placed on the first syllable, which is pronounced "ka-FEEN" with the stress on the first syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription for caffeine is /ˈkæfiːn/, which illustrates the pronunciation of each sound in the word. Knowing the IPA transcription can help non-native speakers accurately pronounce this commonly used word.

CAFFEINE Meaning and Definition

  1. Caffeine is an organic compound known for its stimulating properties that belong to a larger family of drugs called methylxanthines. It is characterized as a bitter, white crystalline alkaloid compound, scientifically known as 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine. Caffeine is naturally found in varying quantities in the seeds, fruits, and leaves of certain plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves, kola nuts, cacao beans, and guarana berries. It is also synthetically produced and commonly added to various beverages, foods, and medications.

    Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, providing temporary relief from drowsiness and restoring alertness and mental focus. It achieves this by blocking the action of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and sleep. By inhibiting adenosine from binding to its receptors, caffeine increases neuronal firing and the release of other neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which can contribute to increased energy levels and improved mood.

    Individual responses to caffeine may vary, but its intake has been associated with increased heart rate, heightened physical and mental performance, and even diminished feelings of fatigue. However, excessive consumption or sensitivity to caffeine can lead to unwanted side effects such as irritability, restlessness, anxiety, headaches, increased heart rate, trembling, difficulty sleeping, and, in extreme cases, even caffeine intoxication.

    The extent of caffeine's effects can depend on various factors, including the quantity consumed, an individual's tolerance, and the presence of other substances in one's system. Regular and prolonged intake of caffeine may also lead to dependence, resulting in withdrawal symptoms when consumption is reduced abruptly.

  2. The alkaloidal active principle of coffee, tea, guarana, mate, and kola; it is identical with theine and guaranine acid; see caffeina.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. A bitter stimulating principle found in coffee.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for CAFFEINE *

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Other Common Misspellings for CAFFEINE

Etymology of CAFFEINE

The word "caffeine" is derived from the German word "Kaffein", which was coined in the early 1820s by the German chemist Friedrich Ferdinand Runge. Runge discovered caffeine in coffee beans and gave it this name. The German term is a combination of "Kaffee", meaning coffee, and the suffix "-in", used for various alkaloids. The word "caffeine" is now widely used in English and has been adopted by other languages as well.

Similar spelling words for CAFFEINE

Plural form of CAFFEINE is CAFFEINES

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