ipecacuanha

From Portuguese ipecacuanha, from a Tupian language ipekaaguéne, from ipeh (“low”) + kaâ (“leaves”) + guéne (“vomit”).

• IPA^(key): /ɪpɪkakjuːˈænə/

ipecacuanha (countable and uncountable, plural ipecacuanhas)

1. (medicine, pharmaceutics) The root of Carapichea ipecacuanha, used as an emetic or purgative; a preparation of this root used as a drug; ipecac. [from 17th c.]
   • 1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter CCXI”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; […], →OCLC:

     This ipecacuanha is a most disagreeable medicine!

2. (medicine, pharmaceutics) The flowering plant Carapichea ipecacuanha. [from 18th c.]

• wild ipecacuanha

ipecacuanha f (plural ipecacuanhas)

1. ipecacuanha (flowering plant)