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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
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Word History
Etymology
French, from New Latin Strychnos, from Latin, nightshade, from Greek
First Known Use
1819, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near strychnine
Cite this Entry
“Strychnine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strychnine. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on strychnine
Nglish: Translation of strychnine for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about strychnine
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