Digitalis
/ˌdɪdʒɪˈtælɪs/noun
A genus of plants, especially foxglove, whose leaves contain potent cardiac glycosides.
Did you know?Digitalis entered medicine through foxglove, whose compounds can strengthen the heartbeat but become dangerously toxic at higher doses.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*deyk-
“To point out or show; a proposed ancient root associated with the later Latin finger-word.”
Classical Latin
Latin
digitus
“Finger or toe; also a unit of measurement based on a finger’s breadth.”
Classical Latin
Latin
digitālis
“Of or belonging to a finger.”
17th Century
New Latin
Digitalis
“A botanical genus named for the finger-like shape of its flowers, especially foxglove.”
18th Century
English
digitalis
“Foxglove or a medicinal preparation derived from it.”
Modern English
English
digitalis
“A plant genus and, medically, its cardiac glycosides or preparations.”