nux vomica

noun nux vom·i·ca \ ˈnəks-ˈvä-mi-kə \

Definition of nux vomica

plural nux vomica

1 : the poisonous disk-shaped seed of a tree (Strychnos nux-vomica of the family Loganiaceae) of southern Asia that contains several alkaloids and especially strychnine and brucine; also : the tree yielding nux vomica

2 : a drug containing nux vomica

Recent Examples of nux vomica from the Web

Regulators have issued five warning letters this year to companies selling products with nightshade or nux vomica.

— maria clark, NOLA.com, "Beetle genitals could hold key to better medical tools: report," 20 Dec. 2017
Regulators have issued five warning letters this year to companies selling products with nightshade or nux vomica.

— maria clark, NOLA.com, "Beetle genitals could hold key to better medical tools: report," 20 Dec. 2017
Regulators have issued five warning letters this year to companies selling products with nightshade or nux vomica.

— matthew perrone, Houston Chronicle, "Health officials to target high-risk alternative remedies," 18 Dec. 2017
Regulators have issued five warning letters this year to companies selling products with nightshade or nux vomica.

— Washington Post, "US health officials to target high-risk alternative remedies," 18 Dec. 2017
Regulators have issued five warning letters this year to companies selling products with nightshade or nux vomica.

— matthew perrone, chicagotribune.com, "FDA to start targeting high-risk homeopathic remedies," 18 Dec. 2017
Regulators have issued five warning letters this year to companies selling products with nightshade or nux vomica.

— matthew perrone, Sun-Sentinel.com, "FDA to start targeting high-risk homeopathic remedies," 18 Dec. 2017
Other dangerous ingredients used in homeopathy products include nux vomica, which contains strychnine.

— maria clark, NOLA.com, "Beetle genitals could hold key to better medical tools: report," 20 Dec. 2017
Other dangerous ingredients used in homeopathy products include nux vomica, which contains strychnine.

— matthew perrone, Houston Chronicle, "Health officials to target high-risk alternative remedies," 18 Dec. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of nux vomica

New Latin, literally, emetic nut

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

nux vomica

noun nux vom·i·ca \ ˈnəks-ˈväm-i-kə \

medical Definition of nux vomica

plural nux vomica

1 : the poisonous seed of an Asian tree of the genus Strychnos (S. nux-vomica) that contains several alkaloids and especially strychnine and brucine; also : the tree yielding nux vomica

2 : a drug containing nux vomica