nux vom·i·ca (n ks v m  -k )n. A tree (Strychnos nux-vomica) native to southeast Asia, having poisonous seeds that are the source of the medicinal alkaloids strychnine and brucine. [Medieval Latin : Latin nux, nut + Medieval Latin vomica, feminine of vomicus, emetic (from Latin vomere, to vomit; see wem - in Indo-European roots).] |
nux vomica [ˈnʌks ˈvɒmɪkə]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) an Indian spiny loganiaceous tree, Strychnos nux-vomica, with orange-red berries containing poisonous seeds
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any of the seeds of this tree, which contain strychnine and other poisonous alkaloids
3. (Medicine / Pharmacology) a medicine manufactured from the seeds of this tree, formerly used as a heart stimulant
[from Medieval Latin: vomiting nut]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  nux vomica - a medicine made from the seeds of an Asiatic tree; contains strychnine and brucine; formerly used as a stimulantmedicament, medication, medicinal drug, medicine - (medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease strychnine - an alkaloid plant toxin extracted chiefly from nux vomica; formerly used as a stimulant brucine - a bitter alkaloid poison resembling strychnine and extracted from nux vomica |
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