Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

cacotheline

noun
ca·​coth·​e·​line | \ kəˈkäthəˌlēn, ka-, -lə̇n\
plural -s

Definition of cacotheline

: a poisonous base C21H21N3O7 obtained as the orange-yellow crystalline nitrate by heating brucine with nitric acid

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of cacotheline

1846, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for cacotheline

International Scientific Vocabulary cacothel- (from Late Greek kakothelēs malevolent, from Greek kak- cac- + -thelēs, from thelein to wish, will) + -ine; originally formed as French cacothéline

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about cacotheline

Share cacotheline

Statistics for cacotheline

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for cacotheline

The first known use of cacotheline was in 1846

See more words from the same year

Comments on cacotheline

What made you want to look up cacotheline? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

hamartia

Listen to the pronounciation of hamartia

a flaw that causes the downfall of a hero

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Original Meanings Quiz

  • rembrandt-painting-a-young-scholar-and-his-tutor
  • Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games