nux vomica

American  

[nuhks vom-i-kuh] / ˈnʌks ˈvɒm ɪ kə /

noun

1. the seed of the orangelike fruit of an East Indian tree, Strychnos nux-vomica, of the logania family, containing strychnine, used in medicine.

2. the tree itself; strychnine.

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nux vomica British  

/ ˈnʌks ˈvɒmɪkə /

noun

1. an Indian spiny loganiaceous tree, Strychnos nux-vomica, with orange-red berries containing poisonous seeds

2. any of the seeds of this tree, which contain strychnine and other poisonous alkaloids

3. a medicine manufactured from the seeds of this tree, formerly used as a heart stimulant

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Etymology

Origin of nux vomica

1570–80; < New Latin: literally, vomiting nut

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nux vomica

This bitter, crystalline product of nux vomica is used as a tonic, stimulant and antidote in medicine.

From Time Magazine Archive

It had a dose of nux vomica strong enough to kill a horse.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

The very air groans with the bitter anathemas the people pronounce upon calomel, antimony, copper, zinc, arsenic, arsenious acid, stramonium, foxglove, belladonna, henbane, nux vomica, opium, morphia, and narcotin.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George

Tonics—such as cod-liver oil, quinine, nux vomica, the vegetable bitters, iron, arsenic, malt, etc.

From Essentials of Diseases of the Skin Including the Syphilodermata Arranged in the Form of Questions and Answers Prepared Especially for Students of Medicine by Stelwagon, Henry Weightman

Some breeders recommend nux vomica very highly as a tonic, and we mention it so those who follow the directions in this book may have their choice.

From Profitable Squab Breeding by Dare, Carl