ipecac

[ ip-i-kak ]

noun

1. the dried root of a shrubby South American plant, Cephaelis ipecacuanha, of the madder family.
2. the plant itself.
3. a drug consisting of the dried roots of this plant, used as an emetic, purgative, etc., and as the source of emetine.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ipecac¹

1780–90, Americanism; short for ipecacuanha < Portuguese < Tupi ipekaaguéne, equivalent to ipeh low + kaâ leaves + guéne vomit

Example Sentences

Acid with the Ipecac, giving them in rotation, a dose every hour.

From Project Gutenberg

Six grains of ipecac, operated with sufficient power, and half a grain of calomel would have purged with great violence.

From Project Gutenberg

Minnie May did not take kindly to the ipecac but Anne had not brought up three pairs of twins for nothing.

From Project Gutenberg

Cinchona supplies us with quinine, while Ipecacuanha produces ipecac, which is an emetic and purgative.

From Project Gutenberg

The simplest way is to give the child a teaspoonful of the fresh syrup of ipecac.

From Project Gutenberg