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Definition of: strychnine
(strik′nin, -nēn, -nīn) noun
A white, crystalline, bitter, extremely poisonous alkaloid, C21H22N2O2, contained in various plants (genus Strychnos) of the logania family, especially S. nuxvomica. Its salts are used in medicine, chiefly as a neural stimulant; a large dose produces tetanic spasms. Also strych′ni·a (-nē·ə), strych′nin (-nin). [<F <L strychnos <Gk., nightshade]
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