stramonium

noun

stra·​mo·​ni·​um strə-ˈmō-nē-əm How to pronounce stramonium (audio)
1
: the dried leaves of the jimsonweed or of a related plant (genus Datura) that contain toxic alkaloids (such as atropine) used in medicine
2

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 This looks like jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), also called thorn apple because of its spiky fruit. oregonlive, 5 Oct. 2019 According to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Jimson weed, also called Datura stramonium, blooms in the late summer and is toxic. Fox News, 10 Sep. 2019

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stramonium was in 1663

Dictionary Entries Near stramonium

Cite this Entry

“Stramonium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stramonium. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

stramonium

noun
stra·​mo·​ni·​um strə-ˈmō-nē-əm How to pronounce stramonium (audio)
1
: the dried leaves of the jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) or of a related plant of the genus Datura containing the anticholinergic and antispasmodic alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine and used especially formerly in the treatment of asthma and parkinsonism
2

More from Merriam-Webster on stramonium

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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


Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
Spell It

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY