cinchona

[ sing-koh-nuh, sin- ]

noun

1. any of several trees or shrubs of the genus Cinchona, of the madder family, especially C. calisaya, native to the Andes, cultivated there and in Java and India for its bark, which yields quinine and other alkaloids.
2. Also called Jesuit's bark, Peruvian bark. the medicinal bark of such trees or shrubs.

cinchona

/ sɪŋˈkɒnɪk; sɪŋˈkəʊnə /

noun

1. any tree or shrub of the South American rubiaceous genus Cinchona, esp C. calisaya, having medicinal bark
2. Also calledcinchona barkPeruvian barkcalisayachina bark the dried bark of any of these trees, which yields quinine and other medicinal alkaloids
3. any of the drugs derived from cinchona bark

Derived Forms

• cinchonic, adjective

Other Words From

• cin·chon·ic [sin-, kon, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinchona¹

< New Latin, the Linnaean genus name, after Francisca Enriques de Ribera, Countess of Chinchón (died 1641), who was associated with the introduction of quinine into Europe, in several accounts now considered spurious

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinchona¹

C18: New Latin, named after the Countess of Chinchón (1576–1639), vicereine of Peru

Example Sentences

There was one practical problem: ground cinchona bark tasted awful—way too bitter for the gentle European palate.

From The Daily Beast

The red and yellow cinchona barks are scarcely ever used for making extracts.

From Project Gutenberg

The first who wrote upon the therapy of cinchona was Barba, a Spanish physician, whose work was printed in Seville in 1642.

From Project Gutenberg

Coffee, tea, cinchona and sugar were tried in turn, with limited success.

From Project Gutenberg

The present arrangement shall also apply to cinchona bark and salts of quinine.

From Project Gutenberg

The account of the Dutch cinchona-plantations, which now furnish quinine of the best quality, is full of interest.

From Project Gutenberg