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reserpine Definition

re·ser·pine (ri sʉr′pin, -pēn; res′ər pēn′)

noun

a crystalline alkaloid, CHNO, extracted from the root of various rauwolfias (esp. Rauwolfia serpentina), used in the treatment of hypertension and some forms of mental illness

Etymology: Ger reserpin, prob. arbitrary contr. < ModL Rauwolfia serpentina + Ger -in, -ine