alkaloid

noun

al·ka·loid | \ ˈal-kə-ˌlȯid

Definition of alkaloid

: any of numerous usually colorless, complex, and bitter organic bases (such as morphine or caffeine) containing nitrogen and usually oxygen that occur especially in seed plants and are typically physiologically active

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Examples of alkaloid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The same was done for the remains of Mario, and this time the experts did find evidence of lethal amounts of morphine and delphinine (two toxic plant alkaloids), as well as an opium alkaloid called narceine in the viscera and urine. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2022 The next step for Odom, according to Zapolin, was to take a trip to Mexico to do ibogaine, a powerful alkaloid derived from the root of a shrub native to Gabon that has been shown to help interrupt opioid dependence. — Amanda Siebert, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2021 The couple went to one of the treatment centers in Baja California that offer an underground therapy using ibogaine, a highly potent alkaloid traditionally extracted from the root of a plant native to Gabon in Africa. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2021 Cytisinicline, a plant-based, naturally occurring alkaloid structurally similar to nicotine, has been shown to aid in smoking cessation. — Bryan W. Heckman, Scientific American, 26 Aug. 2021 The malaria drug chloroquine was developed from quinine, an alkaloid found in the bark of the cinchona tree, which grows in the tropical highlands of South America. — Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2020 Indeed, while solitarious locusts avoid eating toxic plants, the gregarious locusts are actually attracted to the odor of hyoscyamine, a toxic alkaloid found in local plants. — Matt Simon, Wired, 5 Feb. 2020 Fatur cites several cases involving angry behavior associated with plants related to henbane, containing the same alkaloids. — Jennifer Ouellette, Wired, 21 Sep. 2019 Fatur cites several cases involving angry behavior associated with plants related to henbane, containing the same alkaloids. — Jennifer Ouellette, Wired, 21 Sep. 2019 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alkaloid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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“Alkaloid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alkaloid. Accessed 26 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for alkaloid

alkaloid

noun

al·ka·loid | \ ˈal-kə-ˌlȯid

Medical Definition of alkaloid

: any of numerous usually colorless, complex, and bitter organic bases (as morphine or caffeine) containing nitrogen and usually oxygen that occur especially in seed plants and are typically physiologically active