Biochemistry. a pyrimidine base, C 4 H 4 N 2 O 2 , that is one of the fundamental components of RNA, in which it forms base pairs with adenine. Symbol: U.
Origin of uracil
1905-10;ur-1 + ac(etic) + -il, of uncertain origin
British Dictionary definitions for uracil
uracil
/ˈjʊərəsɪl/
noun
1.
(biochem) a pyrimidine present in all living cells, usually in a combined form, as in RNA. Formula: C4H4N2O2
Word Origin
C20: from uro-1 + acetic + -ile
Word Origin and History for uracil
coined in German, 1885, perhaps from urea + German Acetsäure "acetic acid" + chemical suffix -il.
uracil in Medicine
uracil u·ra·cil (yur'ə-sĭl) n. A pyrimidine base that is an essential constituent of RNA.
uracil in Science
uracil
(yr'ə-sĭl) A pyrimidine base that is a component of RNA. It forms a base pair with adenine during transcription. Uracil is therefore structurally analogous to thymine in molecules of DNA. Chemical formula:C4H4N2O2.