ptomaine UK /ˈtəʊmeɪn/US /ˈtoʊmeɪn/ noun2 •Any of various amines formed by putrefactive bacteria. •(old-fashioned) Food poisoning.Elinor said: "One used to be rather afraid of eating fish pastes. There have been cases of ptomaine poisoning from them, haven't there?" — 1940 formsptomaines