atropine

noun

at·​ro·​pine ˈa-trə-ˌpēn 

: a racemic mixture of hyoscyamine obtained from any of various solanaceous plants (such as belladonna) and used especially in the form of its sulfate for its anticholinergic effects (such as pupil dilation or inhibition of smooth muscle spasms)

Examples of atropine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The plant contains compounds like scopolamine and atropine, two natural products known to have medicinal properties. —Mary Choy, Health, 9 Oct. 2024

Belladonna contains atropine, which blocks cisapride from helping with the motility of your gastrointestinal tract. —Mary Choy, Health, 9 Oct. 2024

Children are undergoing treatment with atropine eye drops, which in some reports diminishes the shift toward myopia over time in the school-age years. —Gary Stix, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024

There are treatments available to help slow the progression of myopia, including prescription atropine eye drops, special soft disposable contact lenses called MiSight, and hard contacts worn overnight known as orthokeratology, or ortho-K. —Maria Godoy, NPR, 13 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

German Atropin, from New Latin Atropa, genus name of belladonna, from Greek Atropos, one of the three Fates

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

atropine

noun

at·​ro·​pine ˈa-trə-ˌpēn 

: a poisonous white compound from belladonna and related plants used especially to relieve spasms and to dilate the pupil of the eye

Medical Definition

atropine

noun

at·​ro·​pine ˈa-trə-ˌpēn 

: a racemic mixture of hyoscyamine usually obtained from belladonna and related plants of the family Solanaceae and used especially in the form of its hydrated sulfate (C₁₇H₂₃NO₃)₂·H₂SO₄·H₂O for its anticholinergic effects (as relief of smooth muscle spasms or dilation of the pupil of the eye)