quinine

noun

qui·​nine ˈkwī-ˌnīn 

also

ˈkwi- 

 or  kwi-ˈnīn,

 or  ki-ˈnēn,

 or  kwi-ˈnēn

1

: a bitter crystalline alkaloid C₂₀H₂₄N₂O₂ from cinchona bark used in medicine

2

: a salt of quinine used especially as an antipyretic, antimalarial, and bitter tonic

Examples of quinine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In quinine’s case, Frances was fascinated to discover that rabbits in utero processed quinine very differently than adult rabbits did. —Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024

The primary difference between the types of water is the addition of quinine in tonic water. —Alison Mango, Health, 1 June 2024

The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert In 19th-century Philadelphia, Alma Whitaker, the daughter of a wealthy quinine merchant, studies the phenomena of the natural world as a talented botanist. —Mia Barzilay Freund, Vogue, 29 Mar. 2024

The ingredients vary, but generally include quinine, wormwood, citrus peel, vanilla, gentian root, thyme, ginger, and baking spices. —Jason Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Spanish quina cinchona, from Quechua kina bark

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing quinine

• quinine water

Kids Definition

quinine

noun

qui·​nine ˈkwī-ˌnīn 

 also  ˈkwin-ˌīn

: a bitter white drug obtained from cinchona bark and used especially to treat malaria

Medical Definition

quinine

noun

qui·​nine

ˈkwī-ˌnīn also ˈkwin-ˌīn, especially British kwin-ˈēn, ˈkwin-ēn

: a bitter crystalline alkaloid C₂₀H₂₄N₂O₂ obtained from cinchona bark that is used as a flavoring agent, has antipyretic and analgesic properties, and is administered orally in the form of its salts (as the hydrated sulfate (C₂₀H₂₄N₂O₂)₂·H₂SO₄·2H₂O) as an antimalarial