strophanthin

noun stro·phan·thin \ strō-ˈfan(t)-thən \

Definition of strophanthin

: any of several glycosides (such as ouabain) or mixtures of glycosides from African plants (genera Strophanthus and Acokanthera) of the dogbane family; especially : a bitter toxic glycoside C₃₆H₅₄O₁₄ from a woody vine (Strophanthus kombé) used similarly to digitalis

Origin and Etymology of strophanthin

International Scientific Vocabulary, from New Latin Strophanthus, from Greek strophos twisted band (from strephein to twist) + anthos flower — more at anthology

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1873

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

strophanthin

noun stro·phan·thin \ strō-ˈfan(t)-thən \

medical Definition of strophanthin

: any of several glycosides (as ouabain) or mixtures of glycosides from African plants of the genera Strophanthus and Acocanthera; especially : a bitter toxic glycoside C₃₆H₅₄O₁₄ from a woody vine of the genus Strophanthus (S. kombé) used similarly to digitalis