Emetine
/ˈɛmətiːn/noun
A bitter alkaloid obtained chiefly from ipecacuanha, formerly used to induce vomiting and treat certain infections.
Did you know?Emetine was historically used both as an emetic and as an anti-amoebic drug, showing how one toxic substance could be prescribed to provoke vomiting or fight infection.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*em-
“To vomit; an ancient imitative root associated with the act of retching.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐμεῖν (emeîn)
“To vomit.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐμετικός (emetikós)
“Inducing vomiting; emetic.”
17th Century
New Latin
emeticus
“Pertaining to vomiting or causing it; the source of English emetic terminology.”
Early 19th Century
French
émétine
“The alkaloid extracted from ipecacuanha.”
19th Century
English
emetine
“A medicinal alkaloid, especially one used to induce vomiting or treat amoebic disease.”
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