Definition

A toxic, colorless liquid that comes from a plant called poison hemlock and can be harmful if ingested.

Example

The scientist carefully handled the coniine, aware of its dangerous properties.

Conversation

Did you know that coniine is found in poison hemlock?

Really? I had no idea that plant contained something so dangerous.

Yeah, it’s pretty scary considering how common hemlock is in some areas.

For sure, I’ll have to be careful if I ever see it in the wild.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Coniine is derived from the Latin word 'conium' (meaning hemlock), which refers to the plant from which the alkaloid is derived. The suffix '-ine' is commonly used in chemistry to denote substances, particularly alkaloids. Thus, coniine refers to a chemical substance derived from the hemlock plant.

Memory Tip

Think of 'coni-' relating to the hemlock plant, and '-ine' indicating a chemical substance. This helps you remember that coniine is a substance derived from hemlock.

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