ipecac Hear it!

ipecac definition

☆ ip·ecac (ip′i kak′)

noun

  1. the dried root of a tropical South American plant (Cephaëlis ipecacuanha) of the madder family, that yields emetine and other alkaloids
  2. a preparation from the dried roots, used to induce vomiting
  3. any of several plant roots used in a similar way

Etymology: contr. < Port ipecacuanha < Tupí ipe-kaa-guéne, small emetic plant

Also ipecacuanha i′pe·ca′·cua·nha (ip′i ka′ko̵̅o̅ an′yə)

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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