tubocurarine

noun

tu·​bo·​cu·​ra·​rine ˌtü-bō-kyu̇-ˈrär-ən How to pronounce tubocurarine (audio)
ˌtyü-,
-ˌēn
: a toxic alkaloid obtained chiefly from the bark and stems of a South American vine (Chondrodendron tomentosum of the family Menispermaceae) that in its dextrorotatory form constitutes the chief active constituent of curare and has been used in the form of its hydrated hydrochloride C37H41ClN2O6·HCl·5H20 as a relaxant of skeletal muscle especially as an adjunct to anesthesia in surgery

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary tubo- (from Latin tubus tube) + curare + -ine; from its being shipped in sections of hollow bamboo

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tubocurarine was in 1898

Dictionary Entries Near tubocurarine

Cite this Entry

“Tubocurarine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tubocurarine. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

tubocurarine

noun
tu·​bo·​cu·​ra·​rine ˌt(y)ü-bō-kyu̇-ˈrär-ən, -ˌēn How to pronounce tubocurarine (audio)
: a toxic alkaloid that is obtained chiefly from the bark and stems of a South American vine (Chondrodendron tomentosum of the family Menispermaceae), that in its dextrorotatory form constitutes the chief active constituent of curare, and that is used in the form of its hydrated hydrochloride C37H41ClN2O6·HCl·5H2O especially as a skeletal muscle relaxant

More from Merriam-Webster on tubocurarine

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!