Chelidonine
/ˌkɛlɪˈdoʊniːn/noun
A toxic benzophenanthridine alkaloid found chiefly in greater celandine and related plants.
Did you know?The alkaloid’s name ultimately comes from Greek χελιδών, “swallow,” because greater celandine was traditionally associated with the arrival and departure of swallows.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
χελιδών (khelidōn)
“Swallow, the migratory bird”
Ancient Greek
Greek
χελιδόνιον (khelidónion)
“A plant associated by name and tradition with the swallow”
Classical Latin
Latin
chelidōnium
“Celandine, especially greater celandine”
18th Century
Scientific Latin
Chelidonium
“The botanical genus containing greater celandine”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
chelidonine
“An alkaloid obtained from Chelidonium”
Modern English
English
chelidonine
“A toxic plant alkaloid, especially from greater celandine”
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