Category:Quinine

Qui"nine, n. Etym: [f. (cf. Sp. quinina), fr. Sp. quina, or Quinaquina, peruvian bark, fr. Peruv. kina, quina, bark. Cf. Kinic.] (chem.)

Defn: an alkaloid extracted from the bark of several species of Cinchona (esp. Cinchona calisaya) as a bitter white crystalline Substance, c20h24n2o2. Hence, by extension (med.), any of the salts Of this alkaloid, as the acetate, chloride, sulphate, etc., employed As a febrifuge or antiperiodic. Called also quinia, quinina, etc. [written also chinine.]