ipecac
Americannoun
-
the dried root of a shrubby South American plant, Cephaelis ipecacuanha, of the madder family.
-
the plant itself.
-
a drug consisting of the dried roots of this plant, used as an emetic, purgative, etc., and as the source of emetine.
Etymology
Origin of ipecac
1780–90, short for ipecacuanha < Portuguese < Tupi ipekaaguéne, equivalent to ipeh low + kaâ leaves + guéne vomit
Vocabulary lists containing ipecac
English Words Derived from Indigenous Languages of the Americas
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
National Spelling Bee '14: Prelims Round 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After some ipecac and a round of vomiting that would be right at home in a Mel Brooks comedy, he’s fine.
From New York Times ● Dec. 2, 2021
The latest installment of “Fargo” is as weird as ever, with thugs, do-gooders and an Oraetta-baked pie that she memorably laces with vomit-inducing ipecac.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2020
It is an ice cream sundae laced with ipecac, delectable and poisonous all at once.
From Slate ● Jun. 29, 2015
Quinine, aspirin, codeine, ipecac, and pseudoephedrine are among the common remedies that, according to Cox and Balick, we owe to ethnobotanists guided and informed by indigenous peoples.
From The New Yorker ● Mar. 23, 2015
I can take my ipecac along with the next man!
From Arizona's Yesterday Being the Narrative of John H. Cady, Pioneer by John H. (John Henry) Cady
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
