strychnine

noun strych·nine \ ˈstrik-ˌnīn , -nən , -ˌnēn \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of strychnine

: a bitter poisonous alkaloid C₂₁H₂₂N₂O₂ that is obtained from nux vomica and related plants (genus Strychnos) and is used as a poison (as for rodents) and medicinally as a stimulant of the central nervous system

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Recent Examples of strychnine from the Web

There were reports of stimulants like cocaine and strychnine to keep competitors alert.

— todd balf, Outside Online, "Why Haven't You Heard of Marshall "Major" Taylor?," 19 Apr. 2018
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.

— 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.

— maria clark, NOLA.com, "Beetle genitals could hold key to better medical tools: report," 20 Dec. 2017
Other remedies have contained a toxic substance called strychnine, which is also used as a rat poison in higher doses.

— michael nedelman, CNN, "FDA takes on homeopathic drugs with potential safety risks," 19 Dec. 2017
Nux vomica or nuxvomica is made from the same tree that is the source of strychnine, used to poison rodents and birds.

— maggie fox, NBC News, "FDA to crack down on ‘snake oil’ homeopathy," 19 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
Other dangerous ingredients used in homeopathy products include nux vomica, which contains strychnine.

— Washington Post, "US 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 'strychnine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of strychnine

French, from New Latin Strychnos, from Latin, nightshade, from Greek

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1819

in the meaning defined above

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STRYCHNINE Defined for English Language Learners

strychnine

noun

Definition of strychnine for English Language Learners

: a poisonous substance that can be used in very small amounts as a medicine

Medical Dictionary

strychnine

noun strych·nine \ ˈstrik-ˌnīn , -nən , -ˌnēn \

medical Definition of strychnine

: a bitter poisonous alkaloid C₂₁H₂₂N₂O₂ that is obtained from nux vomica and related plants of the genus Strychnos and is used as a poison (as for rodents) and medicinally as a stimulant of the central nervous system