strophanthus

American  

[stroh-fan-thuhs] / stroʊˈfæn θəs /

noun

strophanthuses plural

1. any of various shrubs or small trees belonging to the genus Strophanthus, of the dogbane family, chiefly of tropical Africa.

2. the dried, ripe seed of any of these plants, which yields the drug strophanthin.

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strophanthus British  

/ strəʊˈfænθəs /

noun

1. 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

2. the seeds of any of these plants

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• strophanthuses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of strophanthus

< New Latin (1802) < Greek stróph ( os ) twine + ánthos flower

Example Sentences

Weakness of the heart, as indicated by the condition of the pulse, is treated by the use of such drugs as digitalis, strophanthus, or strychnin, according to circumstances.

From Manual of Surgery Volume First: General Surgery. Sixth Edition. by Thomson, Alexis

They comprise prussic acid, dilute solution of oxalic acid and oxalates, aconite, digitalis, strophanthus, convallaria, and tobacco.

From Aids to Forensic Medicine and Toxicology by Robertson, W. G. Aitchison (William George Aitchison )

Tincture of strophanthus, in 2-dram doses, will quiet the tumultuous action of the heart in some cases where the digitalis fails.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.

This alkaloid, having the formula C14H16O4N2, is also found in fenugreek, Trigonella fœnum-græcum, in various leguminous plants, and in the seeds of strophanthus.

From All About Coffee by Ukers, William H. (William Harrison)

The poison used here, and called kombi, is obtained from a species of strophanthus, and is very virulent. 

From A Popular Account of Dr. Livingstone's Expedition to the Zambesi and its tributaries And of the Discovery of Lakes Shirwa and Nyassa, 1858-1864 by Livingstone, David