emetine

[ em-i-teen, -tin ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a crystalline or white powdery substance, C 29 H 40 N 2 O 4 , the active principle of ipecac: used chiefly in the treatment of amebic dysentery and as an emetic and expectorant.

emetine

/ ˈɛmətɪn; ˈɛməˌtiːn; -tɪn /

noun

1. a white bitter poisonous alkaloid obtained from ipecacuanha: the hydrochloride is used to treat amoebic infections. Formula: C 29 H 40 O 4 N 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of emetine¹

1810–20; < Greek émet ( os ) vomiting + -ine ²; compare French émétine

Word History and Origins

Origin of emetine¹

C19: from French émétine; see emetic , -ine ²

Example Sentences

The autopsy report listed the cause of death as "emetine cardiotoxicity due to or as a consequence of anorexia nervosa."

From The Guardian

Almost as soon as he lifts the glass to his lips, the emetine works, and he starts to hours retch, of sometimes uninterrupted suffering nausea. "six . . to ." eight This bitter experience is repeated from two to ten times.

From Time Magazine Archive

An alcoholic taking the "conditioned reflex therapy" is first given an injection of emetine, which is, unbeknownst to him, a powerful regurgitant.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then would come the time for another inoculation with emetine, and we would join the long line of men waiting, stripped to the waist, for Captain Hummel's needle.

From Project Gutenberg

It is very probable that a comparative experimental study will prove the existence of a large number of elementary species, differing in many points; they will probably also show differences in the amount of the active chemical substances, especially of emetine, which is usually recorded as present in about 1%, but which will undoubtedly be found in larger quantities in some, and in smaller quantities in other elementary species.

From Project Gutenberg