veratrine

[ ver-uh-treen, -trin ]

noun

, Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a white or grayish-white, slightly water-soluble, poisonous mixture of alkaloids obtained by extraction from the seeds of sabadilla and the rhizomes of white hellebore: formerly used in medicine as a counterirritant in the treatment of rheumatism and neuralgia.

veratrine

/ ˈvɛrətrɪn; ˈvɛrəˌtriːn /

noun

1. a white poisonous mixture obtained from the seeds of sabadilla, consisting of veratridine and several other alkaloids: formerly used in medicine as a counterirritant

Word History and Origins

Origin of veratrine¹

First recorded in 1815–25; from French, from Latin vērātr(um) “hellebore” + French -ine noun suffix; -ine ²( def 2 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of veratrine¹

C19: from Latin vērātrum hellebore + -ine ²

Example Sentences

Gallic acid occurs but seldom in nature; and always united to brucine, veratrine, or lime.

From Project Gutenberg

A milder, but still very useful form of the same kind of action, is produced by veratrine-ointment.

From Project Gutenberg

Far more useful, in neuralgias generally, is the external application of aconite or of veratrine.

From Project Gutenberg

The colchiceæ, from which is obtained veratrine, form an exception among the monocotyledons.

From Project Gutenberg

Used as a friction in rheumatism, and the other cases in which veratrine is employed.

From Project Gutenberg