nicotinic
|ni-co-tin-ic|
/ˌnɪkəˈtɪnɪk/
relating to nicotine
Etymology
'nicotinic' originates from French, specifically the word 'nicotinique', where 'nicotine' referred to the alkaloid named after the French diplomat Jean Nicot.
'nicotinic' changed from the French word 'nicotinique' and eventually became the modern English word 'nicotinic'.
Initially, it meant 'of or relating to nicotine (the compound named after Jean Nicot)', but over time the term also came to be used specifically for 'relating to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors' in physiology.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to, derived from, or characteristic of nicotine (the alkaloid).
The study examined the nicotinic effects of the compound on blood pressure.
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Adjective 2
of or relating to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors — receptors that are activated by nicotine (as opposed to muscarinic receptors).
Nicotinic receptors are activated by acetylcholine and nicotine at synapses and the neuromuscular junction.
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Last updated: 2025/11/09 06:09