ipecac — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The dried rhizome and roots of either of two tropical American plants (Cephaelis acuminata and Cephaelis ipecacuanha) of the madder family used especially as a source of emetine.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

2. An emetic and expectorant drug that contains emetine and is prepared from ipecac especially as a syrup for use in treating accidental poisoning.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   syrup of ipecac

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Mary Reynolds could list her physician-owner's entire materia medica (the common term for pharmacological supplies) for slaves in one breathː "Dr. Kilpatrick gave sick [slaves] ipecac and asafoetide and oil and turpentine and black fever pills.

3. The shrub that produces ipecac (Cephaelis ipecacuanha), native to Brazil and cultivated elsewhere.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. a medicinal drug used to evoke vomiting (especially in cases of drug overdose or poisoning)

   Broader terms

   emeticvomitvomitivenauseant