(biochemistry) Used, as a modification of -ine, to form the names of a variety of types of compound; examples include proteins (globulin), carbohydrates (dextrin), dyes (alizarin) and others (vanillin).
Borrowed from German Chromatin, from (combining form of) Ancient Greek χρῶμα (khrôma, “colour”) + -ινος (-inos, “made of”). Analyzable as chromatic (“of colour”) + -in (“substance”).