strophanthin

noun

stro·​phan·​thin strō-ˈfan(t)-thən How to pronounce strophanthin (audio)
: any of several glycosides (such as ouabain) or mixtures of glycosides from African plants (genera Strophanthus and Acokanthera) of the dogbane family
especially : a bitter toxic glycoside C36H54O14 from a woody vine (Strophanthus kombé) used similarly to digitalis

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from New Latin Strophanthus, from Greek strophos twisted band (from strephein to twist) + anthos flower — more at anthology

First Known Use

circa 1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of strophanthin was circa 1873

Dictionary Entries Near strophanthin

Cite this Entry

“Strophanthin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strophanthin. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

strophanthin

noun
stro·​phan·​thin strō-ˈfan(t)-thən How to pronounce strophanthin (audio)
: any of several glycosides (as ouabain) or mixtures of glycosides from African plants of the genera Strophanthus and Acocanthera
especially : a bitter toxic glycoside C36H54O14 from a woody vine of the genus Strophanthus (S. kombé) used similarly to digitalis

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