emetine

[em-i-teen, -tin]

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a crystalline or white powdery substance, C 29 H 40 N 2 O 4 , the active principle of ipecac: used chiefly in the treatment of amebic dysentery and as an emetic and expectorant.

emetine

/ ˈɛmətɪn, ˈɛməˌtiːn, -tɪn /

noun

1. a white bitter poisonous alkaloid obtained from ipecacuanha: the hydrochloride is used to treat amoebic infections. Formula: C 29 H 40 O 4 N 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of emetine¹

1810–20; < Greek émet ( os ) vomiting + -ine ²; compare French émétine

Word History and Origins

Origin of emetine¹

C19: from French émétine; see _emetic , _-ine ²

Example Sentences

The autopsy report listed the cause of death as "emetine cardiotoxicity due to or as a consequence of anorexia nervosa."

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Almost as soon as he lifts the glass to his lips, the emetine works, and he starts to hours retch, of sometimes uninterrupted suffering nausea. "six . . to ." eight This bitter experience is repeated from two to ten times.

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An alcoholic taking the "conditioned reflex therapy" is first given an injection of emetine, which is, unbeknownst to him, a powerful regurgitant.

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Then would come the time for another inoculation with emetine, and we would join the long line of men waiting, stripped to the waist, for Captain Hummel's needle.

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It is very probable that a comparative experimental study will prove the existence of a large number of elementary species, differing in many points; they will probably also show differences in the amount of the active chemical substances, especially of emetine, which is usually recorded as present in about 1%, but which will undoubtedly be found in larger quantities in some, and in smaller quantities in other elementary species.

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