atropin
|a-trop-ine|
🇺🇸
/əˈtroʊpiːn/
🇬🇧
/əˈtrəʊpiːn/
(atropine)
antimuscarinic tropane alkaloid (belladonna-derived)
Etymology
'atropine' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'atropinum', where the genus name 'Atropa' was taken from Greek 'Atropos' (one of the Fates).
'atropine' passed into English via New Latin 'atropinum' and French 'atropine', eventually becoming the modern English word 'atropine'.
Initially it referred specifically to the alkaloid extracted from Atropa belladonna; over time it has remained largely the same in modern medical usage as the name of that anticholinergic alkaloid.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a poisonous tropane alkaloid obtained from plants such as Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade), used medically as an anticholinergic agent — for example to dilate pupils (mydriasis), reduce secretions, treat certain poisonings (e.g., organophosphate) and as an antispasmodic.
The emergency kit contained atropin to treat organophosphate poisoning.
Synonyms
Noun 2
an alternative spelling or variant form of 'atropine' used in some countries, older texts, or non‑English contexts.
In some drug formularies, 'atropin' appears as an alternative spelling.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/14 06:43