ipecacuanha
Britishnoun
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a low-growing South American rubiaceous shrub, Cephaelis ipecacuanha
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a drug prepared from the dried roots of this plant, used as a purgative and emetic
Etymology
Origin of ipecacuanha
C18: from Portuguese, from Tupi ipekaaguéne, from ipeh low + kaa leaves + guéne vomit
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.
Here is Yeats on the flighty mother of an artist friend: “She makes me think of lumpy beds, Russian fleas and ipecacuanha wine.”
From New York Times ● Jun. 11, 2012
In the first group are common salt, mustard, ipecacuanha, and sulphate of zinc; and apomorphine, which is given hypodermically, is an example of the second.
From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 2: Ebert to Estremadura by Various
Vulgarity.—The vulgarity of inanimate things requires time to get accustomed to; but living, breathing, bustling, plotting, planning, human vulgarity is a species of moral ipecacuanha, enough to destroy any comfort.—Carlyle.
From Pearls of Thought by Maturin Murray Ballou
He invented a diaphoretic powder containing ipecacuanha and opium, which is used to this day, and is still known as Dover's powder.
From The Pirates' Who's Who Giving Particulars Of The Lives and Deaths Of The Pirates And Buccaneers by Philip Gosse
Or the following may be given four times a day: One dram Dover's powder, 6 grains powdered ipecacuanha; mix, divide into 10 equal parts.
From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry
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