Chem. [irreg. f. mod.L. thea TEA + Gr. φύλλον leaf + -INE5.] A colorless alkaloid, C7H8N4O2, found in tea-leaves.
1894. in Morley & Muir, Watts’ Dict. Chem., IV. 682/2.
1899. Syd. Soc. Lex., Theophyllin,… an alkaloid discovered in tea. It is isomeric with the base obtained from cacao (theobromine) and with paraxanthin, but differs from them in its reactions.
