strophanthus
[stroh-fan-thuh s]
- any of various shrubs or small trees belonging to the genus Strophanthus, of the dogbane family, chiefly of tropical Africa.
- the dried, ripe seed of any of these plants, which yields the drug strophanthin.
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Origin of strophanthus
< New Latin (1802) < Greek stróph(os) twine + ánthos flower
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for strophanthus
Historical Examples
Tincture of strophanthus, in 2-dram doses, will quiet the tumultuous action of the heart in some cases where the digitalis fails.
Special Report on Diseases of the HorseUnited States Department of Agriculture
Strophanthus regulated and strengthened the heart's action, but only slightly benefited the dyspnœa.
It seems to act as well as an aid to Digitalis, or Strophanthus, in cardiac dyspnœa.
The exquisitely beautiful seed of Strophanthus Kombe is used as an arrow poison.
The Romance of Plant LifeG. F. Scott Elliot
The poison used here, and called kombi, is obtained from a species of strophanthus, and is very virulent.
strophanthus
- any small tree or shrub of the apocynaceous genus Strophanthus, of tropical Africa and Asia, having strap-shaped twisted petals. The seeds of certain species yield the drug strophanthin
- the seeds of any of these plants
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Word Origin
C19: New Latin, from Greek strophos twisted cord + anthos flower
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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