strychnine
[ strik-nin, -neen, -nahyn ]
/ ˈstrɪk nɪn, -nin, -naɪn /
|
noun
Pharmacology. a colorless, crystalline poison, C21H22N2O2, obtained chiefly by extraction from the seeds of nux vomica, formerly used as a central nervous system stimulant.
an Indian tree, Strychnos nux-vomica, of the logania family, having small, yellowish-white flowers in clusters, berrylike fruit, and seeds that yield strychnine.
Nearby words
Also strych·ni·a [strik-nee-uh] /ˈstrɪk ni ə/, strych·ni·na [strik-ni-nuh] /ˈstrɪk nɪ nə/.
Origin of strychnine
1810–20; < French, equivalent to New Latin Strychn(os) genus name (< Greek strýchnos a kind of nightshade) + French -ine -ine2
Related formsstrych·nic, adjective
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Examples from the Web for strychnine
British Dictionary definitions for strychnine
strychnine
/ (ˈstrɪkniːn) /
noun
a white crystalline very poisonous alkaloid, obtained from the plant nux vomica: formerly used in small quantities as a stimulant of the central nervous system and the appetite. Formula: C 21 H 22 O 2 N 2
Word Origin for strychnine
C19: via French from New Latin Strychnos, from Greek strukhnos nightshade
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for strychnine
strychnine
powerful poisonous alkaloid, 1819, from French strychnine, from Modern Latin Strychnos, the genus name of the plant (nux vomica) from which the poison is obtained, from Greek strychnon, a kind of nightshade, of uncertain origin. The chemical was discovered 1818 by Pelletier and Caventou.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for strychnine
strychnine
[ strĭk′nīn′, -nĭn, -nēn′ ]
n.
An extremely poisonous white crystalline alkaloid used as a poison for rodents and formerly used topically as a central nervous system stimulant.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for strychnine
strychnine
[ strĭk′nīn′ ]
An extremely poisonous, white crystalline compound derived from the seeds of the nux vomica tree. Strychnine is an alkaloid and was formerly used in medicine to stimulate the nervous system. It is currently used as a rat poison. Chemical formula: C21H22O2N2.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.