veratrine

noun

ve·​ra·​trine ˈver-ə-ˌtrēn  və-ˈra-trən 

: a poisonous irritant mixture of alkaloids from sabadilla seed that has been used as a counterirritant and insecticide

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French vératrine, from New Latin Veratrum veratrum + -ine -ine entry 2

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

veratrine

noun

ver·​a·​trine ˈver-ə-ˌtrēn 

: a mixture of alkaloids that is obtained as a white or grayish powder from sabadilla seeds, that is an intense local irritant and a powerful muscle and nerve poison, and that has been used as a counterirritant in neuralgia and arthritis