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picrotoxin

Definition of picrotoxin

noun

[mass noun] Medicine
  • a bitter compound used to stimulate the respiratory and nervous system, especially in treating barbiturate poisoning.
    • This toxin is obtained from the seeds of the shrub Anamirta cocculus (family Menispermaceae)

Origin:

mid 19th century: from Greek pikros 'bitter' + toxin

picrotoxin in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of picrotoxin in the US English dictionary