strychnine

noun

strych·​nine ˈstrik-ˌnīn  -nən  -ˌnēn 

: 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

Examples of strychnine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In some cities, stray dogs are poisoned with strychnine, a pesticide banned in many countries for causing inhumane suffering. —Lisa Klaassen, CNN Money, 20 June 2025

An autopsy suggested that strychnine was the probable cause of death. —Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025

An article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website said strychnine is a white, odorless, bitter crystalline powder mainly used as a pesticide, particularly used to kill rats. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

At the time mixtures of strychnine, heroin, cocaine, and caffeine were widely used by endurance athletes, a practice which persisted until heroin and cocaine became available only by prescription in the 1920s. —Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2013

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for strychnine

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine

Kids Definition

strychnine

noun

strych·​nine ˈstrik-ˌnīn 

-nən,

-ˌnēn

: a bitter poison that is obtained from certain plants, acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system, and is used especially as a rat poison

Medical Definition

strychnine

noun

strych·​nine ˈstrik-ˌnīn  -nən  -ˌnēn 

: 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