Atropine

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Atropine \At"ro*pine\, n. [Gr. ? inflexible; hence ? ?, one of
     the three Parc[ae]; 'a priv. + ? to turn.] (Chem.)
     A poisonous, white, crystallizable alkaloid, extracted from
     the {Atropa belladonna}, or deadly nightshade, and the
     {Datura Stramonium}, or thorn apple. It is remarkable for its
     power in dilating the pupil of the eye. Called also


     {daturine}.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  atropine
       n : a poisonous crystalline alkaloid extracted from the
           nightshade family; used as an antispasmodic and to dilate
           the eye pupil; also administered in large amounts as an
           antidote for organophosphate nerve agents or
           organophosphate insecticides