digitalis
noun
dig·i·tal·is
ˌdi-jə-ˈta-ləs 
also
-ˈtā-
1
: foxglove
2
: the dried powdered leaf of the common foxglove that contains glycosides which act on the heart and that is a powerful cardiotonic serving especially to increase the force of myocardial contraction
broadly
: any of various cardiac glycosides (such as digitalin or digoxin) that are constituents of digitalis or are derived from a related foxglove (Digitalis lanata)
Examples of digitalis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Similar to digoxin, taking high doses of apple cider vinegar with cardiac glycosides can lead to dangerous side effects (digitalis toxicity) related to low potassium levels.
—
Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 6 Jan. 2025
In the 19th century, for example, they were used to study digitalis dosing.
—National Geographic, 9 Oct. 2019
Though most digitalis plants found in U.S. gardens may not contain enough of the chemical to be lethal, Soejarto says don’t self-medicate with this plant.
—Cindy Dampier, chicagotribune.com, 25 July 2019
Fascinating bits of history are included throughout, including the suggestion that one such drug—digitalis, or foxglove, formerly used to treat epilepsy—may have caused a yellowing of vision in Van Gogh, affecting the colors in his paintings.
—Barbara Paul Robinson, WSJ, 11 Apr. 2018
Weight-loss regimens included consuming soap, chalk, pickles, digitalis, camphor tea, grapefruit (which was thought to contain fat-dissolving enzymes), potassium acetate (a diuretic), and ipecac (which induces vomiting).
—Jerome Groopman, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2017
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Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 6 Jan. 2025
In the 19th century, for example, they were used to study digitalis dosing.
—National Geographic, 9 Oct. 2019
Though most digitalis plants found in U.S. gardens may not contain enough of the chemical to be lethal, Soejarto says don’t self-medicate with this plant.
—Cindy Dampier, chicagotribune.com, 25 July 2019
Fascinating bits of history are included throughout, including the suggestion that one such drug—digitalis, or foxglove, formerly used to treat epilepsy—may have caused a yellowing of vision in Van Gogh, affecting the colors in his paintings.
—Barbara Paul Robinson, WSJ, 11 Apr. 2018
Weight-loss regimens included consuming soap, chalk, pickles, digitalis, camphor tea, grapefruit (which was thought to contain fat-dissolving enzymes), potassium acetate (a diuretic), and ipecac (which induces vomiting).
—Jerome Groopman, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Digitalis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digitalis. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
digitalis
noun
dig·i·tal·is
ˌdij-ə-ˈtal-əs
also -ˈtāl-
1
: foxglove
2
: a powerful drug used to stimulate the heart and prepared from the dried leaves of the common foxglove
Medical Definition
digitalis
noun
dig·i·tal·is
-əs
1
a
capitalized
: a genus of Eurasian herbs of the snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae) that have alternate leaves and racemes of showy bell-shaped flowers and comprise the foxgloves
b
: foxglove
2
: the dried leaf of the common European foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) that contains physiologically active glycosides, that is a powerful cardiotonic acting to increase the force of myocardial contraction, to slow the conduction rate of nerve impulses through the atrioventricular node, and to promote diuresis, and that is used in standardized powdered form especially in the treatment of congestive heart failure and in the management of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and paroxysmal tachycardia of the atria
broadly
: any of various glycosides (as digoxin or digitoxin) that are constituents of digitalis or are derived from a related foxglove (D. lanata)
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