Eserine

2 definitions found

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

  Physostigmine \Phy`so*stig"mine\, n. (Chem.)
     An alkaloid found in the Calabar bean (the seed of
     {Physostigma venenosum}), and extracted as a white,
     tasteless, substance, amorphous or crystalline; -- formerly
     called {eserine}, with which it was regarded as identical.
     [1913 Webster]



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

  Eserine \Es"er*ine\ (?; 104), n. [From native name of the
     Calabar bean: cf. F. ['e]s['e]rine.] (Chem.)
     An alkaloid found in the Calabar bean, and the seed of
     {Physostigma venenosum}; physostigmine. It is used in
     ophthalmic surgery for its effect in contracting the pupil.
     [1913 Webster]