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ouabain

(wä bā′in)

noun

a poisonous glycoside, CHO·8HO, made chiefly from the seeds of an African plant (Strophanthus gratus) of the dogbane family: it is a constituent of a Zulu arrow poison and is used in medicine as a substitute for digitalis when a rapid effect is required for a short time, as in treating congestive heart failure

Origin: Fr ouabaine < ouabaio, name of an African tree, source of the substance (< Somali waabayyo, arrow poison) + -ine

See ouabain in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A white poisonous glycoside, C₂₉H₄₄O_12,extracted from the seeds of the African trees Strophanthus gratus and Acokanthera ouabaio, that is used as a heart stimulant and by some African peoples as a dart poison.

Origin:

Origin: From French ouabaïo

Origin: , from Somali wabayo

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ouabain medical definition

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