Definition

A very toxic substance that comes from certain plants, used to kill pests and sometimes in medicine to stimulate the nervous system.

Example

Strychnine is often used in laboratories to study its effects on the nervous system.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of strychnine?

Yeah, I read it's really toxic, right?

Exactly! It's used as a poison for rodents.

I can't believe something that dangerous comes from plants!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Strychnine originates from the genus name 'Strychnos', which is derived from the Greek word 'strychnos' (meaning a type of tree or plant). The suffix '-ine' is used in chemistry to denote substances. Thus, strychnine refers to a substance derived from the Strychnos plant.

Memory Tip

Think of the Greek word for a type of plant ('strychnos') to remember that strychnine is a substance derived from a specific plant.

Visually Confused Words