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strychnine
[ strik-nin, -neen, -nahyn ]
noun
- Pharmacology. a colorless, crystalline poison, C 2 1 H 2 2 N 2 O 2 , 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.
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
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: C 21 H 22 O 2 N 2 .
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Other Words From
- strychnic adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of strychnine1
1810–20; < French, equivalent to New Latin Strychn ( os ) genus name (< Greek strýchnos a kind of nightshade) + French -ine -ine 2
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Word History and Origins
Origin of strychnine1
C19: via French from New Latin Strychnos, from Greek strukhnos nightshade
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Example Sentences
A grain of strychnine is just as fatal as an ounce, without an antidote.
From Project Gutenberg
Croton oil and strychnine pills, that'll set me up in two weeks.
From Project Gutenberg
This reaction is capable of detecting one part of strychnine in a million parts of liquid.
From Project Gutenberg
"Yes, we had better go home," I spoke quietly, though my heart pumped as if I had taken strychnine.
From Project Gutenberg
Again, we must examine more closely some of the cases, in which strychnine injections showed a brilliant result.
From Project Gutenberg
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