atropine

noun

at·ro·pine ˈa-trə-ˌpēn

: a racemic mixture of hyoscyamine obtained from any of various solanaceous plants (such as belladonna) and used especially in the form of its sulfate for its anticholinergic effects (such as pupil dilation or inhibition of smooth muscle spasms)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web While that sounds innocent enough, Datura stramonium, as it is known in the scientific world, belongs to the deadly nightshade family and contains high levels of anti-cholinergic alkaloids such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine and atropine. —

Matt Kaplan, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2015 Doctors use atropine to reduce saliva during surgery, and to accelerate the heart rate when needed, and scopolamine protects against post-surgery nausea and vomiting. —

Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 13 Apr. 2023 Psychedelic-laced beer may have helped this ancient South American empire rule Scopolamine and atropine are found in plants in the genera Datura and Brugmansia — both are in the nightshade family and were used in pre-Columbian South America, Socha told CNN in an email. —

Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 10 Apr. 2023 He is being treated with the antidote atropine. —

Fox News, 28 Aug. 2020 There have been 34 alkaloids discovered in henbane, including scopolamine, hyoscyamine and atropine. —

Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 16 Mar. 2022 Its primary active agent, atropine, attacks the parasympathetic nervous system and disrupts its ability to regulate subconscious activities like breathing. —

Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010 Using low-concentration atropine eye drops in children could delay the onset of myopia, or nearsightedness, according to research published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. —

Sarah Toy, WSJ, 14 Feb. 2023 After giving her more atropine, Mary came around again and gave her consent. —

Louis F Janeira, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2014 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'atropine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

German Atropin, from New Latin Atropa, genus name of belladonna, from Greek Atropos, one of the three Fates

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of atropine was in 1820

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Atropine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atropine. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

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Kids Definition

atropine

noun

at·ro·pine ˈa-trə-ˌpēn

: a poisonous white compound from belladonna and related plants used especially to relieve spasms and to dilate the pupil of the eye

Medical Definition

atropine

noun

at·ro·pine ˈa-trə-ˌpēn

: a racemic mixture of hyoscyamine usually obtained from belladonna and related plants of the family Solanaceae and used especially in the form of its hydrated sulfate (C₁₇H₂₃NO₃)₂·H₂SO₄·H₂O for its anticholinergic effects (as relief of smooth muscle spasms or dilation of the pupil of the eye)