delphinine

[ del-fuh-neen, -nin ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a bitter, poisonous, crystalline alkaloid, C 33 H 45 NO 9 , obtained from various species of larkspur, especially Delphinium staphisagria.

Word History and Origins

Origin of delphinine¹

First recorded in 1820–30; delphin(ium) + -ine ²

Example Sentences

Delphinine begins to brown about 102°; it becomes amber at 119°, and melts, and bubbles appear.

From Project Gutenberg