strychnine

noun

strych·​nine ˈstrik-ˌnīn 

-nən,

-ˌnēn

: a bitter poisonous alkaloid C₂₁H₂₂N₂O₂ that is obtained from nux vomica and related plants (genus Strychnos) and is used as a poison (as for rodents) and medicinally as a stimulant of the central nervous system

Examples of strychnine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the time mixtures of strychnine, heroin, cocaine, and caffeine were widely used by endurance athletes, a practice which persisted until heroin and cocaine became available only by prescription in the 1920s. —Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2013

Most toxic plant compounds, such as strychnine and cyanide, taste bitter. —Kirsten Weir, Discover Magazine, 10 Feb. 2011

Nature describing the synthesis of strychnine using only 12 steps. —Joshua Learn, Discover Magazine, 27 Oct. 2021

The second, pure strychnine slipped into a bottle of bicarbonate, did the trick. —Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2022

Word History

Etymology

French, from New Latin Strychnos, from Latin, nightshade, from Greek

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

strychnine

noun

strych·​nine ˈstrik-ˌnīn 

-nən,

-ˌnēn

: a bitter poison that is obtained from certain plants, acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system, and is used especially as a rat poison

Medical Definition

strychnine

noun

strych·​nine ˈstrik-ˌnīn  -nən  -ˌnēn 

: a bitter poisonous alkaloid C₂₁H₂₂N₂O₂ that is obtained from nux vomica and related plants of the genus Strychnos and is used as a poison (as for rodents) and medicinally as a stimulant of the central nervous system