ephedrine

(e fedrin; chiefly Brit, efə drēn′, -drin)

noun

an alkaloid, CHNO, derived from certain Asiatic gymnosperms (family Ephedraceae) or synthesized, and used to relieve nasal congestion and asthma and to constrict certain blood vessels

Origin: < ModL Ephedra < L ephedra, the plant horsetail < Gr < ephedros, sitting by < epi-, on, near + hedra, a seat (see sit) + -ine

See ephedrine in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
A white, odorless, powdered or crystalline alkaloid, C10H15NO, isolated from shrubs of the genus Ephedra or made synthetically. It is used in the treatment of allergies and asthma.

Origin:

Origin: Latin ephedra, horsetail; see ephedra

Origin: + -ine2

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