ouabain

noun

: a poisonous glycoside C29H44O12 obtained from several African shrubs or trees (genera Strophanthus and Acokanthera) of the dogbane family and used medically like digitalis and in Africa as an arrow poison

Examples of ouabain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But the arrow’s tip has a secret weapon: the deadly poison ouabain. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 11 May 2018 At such a dose, ouabain can cause twitching, convulsions, high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and eventually cardiac arrest. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 21 Jan. 2018 The ouabain derivative didn’t have any toxic effects, and the rat produced normal levels of sperm. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 21 Jan. 2018 But ouabain also affects another type of transporter subunit called α4, which is found only in sperm cells. Smithsonian, 31 Jan. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ouabain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from French ouabaïo, an African tree, from Somali waabayyo arrow poison

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ouabain was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near ouabain

Cite this Entry

“Ouabain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ouabain. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

ouabain

noun
: a poisonous glycoside C29H44O12 obtained from several African shrubs or trees of the dogbane family and used medically like digitalis and in Africa as an arrow poison

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