Cinchonism
/ˈsɪŋ.kə.nɪ.zəm/noun
A toxic condition caused by excessive use of quinine or quinine-containing drugs.
Did you know?Cinchonism comes from cinchona, the South American tree whose bark gave the world quinine; the name was later linked to the Countess of Chinchón, making this a rare case where a noble title helped name a drug—and its side effects.
Etymological Timeline
1630s
Spanish
Chinchón
“A Spanish noble surname and place name, later associated with the Countess of Chinchón.”
17th Century
Spanish/Latin
cinchona
“The Peruvian bark tree, named in honor of the Countess of Chinchón in later tradition.”
17th–18th Century
English
cinchona
“The bark of the cinchona tree, used as a remedy for intermittent fevers.”
19th Century
English
cinchonism
“A toxic state produced by quinine or cinchona bark preparations, marked by ringing in the ears and other symptoms.”
Modern English
English
cinchonism
“The syndrome of adverse effects caused by quinine or related drugs.”