strychnina

1 definition found

strychnina - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Strychnine \Strych"nine\, n. [L. strychnos a kind of nightshade,
     Gr. ?: cf. F. strychnine.] (Chem.)
     A very poisonous alkaloid resembling brucine, obtained from
     various species of plants, especially from species of
     Loganiaceae, as from the seeds of the St. Ignatius bean
     (Strychnos Ignatia) and from nux vomica. It is obtained as
     a white crystalline substance, having a very bitter acrid
     taste, and is employed in medicine (chiefly in the form of
     the sulphate) as a powerful neurotic stimulant. Called also
     strychnia, and formerly strychnina.
     [1913 Webster]