anhalonium alkaloid

noun

an·​ha·​lo·​ni·​um alkaloid

ˌan(h)əˈlōnēəm-

: any of a group of alkaloids (as hordenine, mescaline) that are found in peyote buttons and that are used as cerebral stimulants and motor depressants

called also cactus alkaloid

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Anhalonium, genus of cacti, from Greek an- + halōnion small threshing floor (equated with New Latin areola areole, from Latin, small open space, diminutive of area piece of level ground, threshing floor), diminutive of halōn threshing floor; from the belief that the areoles were lacking

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

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