Pyridine \Pyr"i*dine\, n. [From Gr. ? fire.] (Physiol. Chem.) A nitrogenous base, {C5H5N}, obtained from the distillation of bone oil or coal tar, and by the decomposition of certain alkaloids, as a colorless liquid with a peculiar pungent odor. It is the nucleus of a large number of organic substances, among which several vegetable alkaloids, as nicotine and certain of the ptoma["i]nes, may be mentioned. See {Lutidine}.