nux vomica

nux vom·i·ca

 (nŭks vŏm′ĭ-kə)

n.

1. A tree (Strychnos nux-vomica) native to South and Southeast Asia, having poisonous seeds that are a source of the alkaloids strychnine and brucine.

2. The seeds of this tree or a preparation or extract made from them.

---

[Medieval Latin : Latin nux, nut + Medieval Latin vomica, feminine of vomicus, emetic (from Latin vomere, to vomit; see wemə- in Indo-European roots).]

nux vomica

(ˈnʌks ˈvɒmɪkə)

n

1. (Plants) an Indian spiny loganiaceous tree, Strychnos nux-vomica, with orange-red berries containing poisonous seeds

2. (Plants) any of the seeds of this tree, which contain strychnine and other poisonous alkaloids

3. (Pharmacology) a medicine manufactured from the seeds of this tree, formerly used as a heart stimulant

[C16: from Medieval Latin: vomiting nut]

nux vom•i•ca

(ˈnʌks ˈvɒm ɪ kə)
n.

1. the poisonous seed of the orangelike fruit of an East Indian tree, Strychnos nux-vomica, of the logania family, containing strychnine.

2. the tree itself.

[1570–80]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

nux vomica - a medicine made from the seeds of an Asiatic tree; contains strychnine and brucine; formerly used as a stimulant medicament, 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