scopolamine

[ skuh-pol-uh-meen, -min, skoh-puh-lam-in ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a colorless, syrupy, water-soluble alkaloid, C 1 7 H 2 1 NO 4 , obtained from certain plants of the nightshade family, used chiefly as a sedative and mydriatic and to alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness.

scopolamine

/ ˌskəʊpəˈlæmɪn; -mɪn; skəˈpɒləˌmiːn /

noun

1. a colourless viscous liquid alkaloid extracted from certain plants, such as henbane: used in preventing travel sickness and as an anticholinergic, sedative, and truth serum. Formula: C 17 H 21 NO 4 Also calledhyoscine See also atropine

scopolamine

/ skə-pŏl′ə-mēn′,-mĭn /

1. A poisonous, syrupy, colorless alkaloid extracted from plants such as deadly nightshade and henbane. Scopolamine depresses the central nervous system and is used primarily as a sedative and to dilate the pupils, treat nausea, and prevent motion sickness. Chemical formula: C 17 H 21 NO 4 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of scopolamine¹

1890–95; < New Latin Scopol ( ia japonica ) Japanese belladonna (genus Scopolia named after G.A. Scopoli (1723–88), Italian naturalist; -a ² ) + amine

Word History and Origins

Origin of scopolamine¹

C20 scopol- from New Latin scopolia Japonica Japanese belladonna (from which the alkaloid is extracted), named after G. A. Scopoli (1723–88), Italian naturalist, + amine

Example Sentences

When they meet, the man is handed a drink spiked with a substance such as scopolamine, which can cause people to fall unconscious and block their memories.

From Seattle Times

Carlos Calle, the former director of the city's tourism observatory, said it's common for criminals to drug tourists with scopolamine, an odourless substance known as "Devil's Breath".

From BBC

Rapid-acting antidepressants, including ketamine, scopolamine and psilocybin, have been found to have immediate and lasting positive effects on mood in patients with major depressive disorder but how these effects arise is unknown.

From Science Daily

Other horses in the area also tested positive for the prohibited substance scopolamine, which is not considered a traditional performance enhancer.

From Los Angeles Times

Scientists began experimenting with a combination of scopolamine and morphine at the turn of the 20th century.

From Seattle Times