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
And a case of strychnine poisoning that was somehow fudged into death by natural causes to prevent a scandal and keep Stanford running.
—Mark Peikert, Town & Country, 12 June 2022
White supports his theories with some crucial pieces of overlooked evidence, such as a brief mention in a newspaper story connecting Berner to a druggist who would have had access to strychnine.
—Maia Silber, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022
Newspapers widely reported those words, as well as the results of an autopsy that found traces of strychnine in her blood.
—Maia Silber, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022
The first round of strychnine, a massive dose of rat poison dissolved in a bottle of Poland Spring water, didn’t work.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2022
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
And a case of strychnine poisoning that was somehow fudged into death by natural causes to prevent a scandal and keep Stanford running.
—Mark Peikert, Town & Country, 12 June 2022
White supports his theories with some crucial pieces of overlooked evidence, such as a brief mention in a newspaper story connecting Berner to a druggist who would have had access to strychnine.
—Maia Silber, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022
Newspapers widely reported those words, as well as the results of an autopsy that found traces of strychnine in her blood.
—Maia Silber, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022
The first round of strychnine, a massive dose of rat poison dissolved in a bottle of Poland Spring water, didn’t work.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'strychnine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Strychnine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strychnine. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
-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
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