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ephedrine definition

ephed·rine (e fe′drin; chiefly Brit, ef′ə 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

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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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