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ipecac

noun
ip·​e·​cac | \ ˈi-pi-ˌkak How to pronounce ipecac (audio) \
variants: or less commonly ipecacuanha \ ˌi-​pi-​ˌka-​kyə-​ˈwä-​nə How to pronounce ipecacuanha (audio) , -​nyə \

Definition of ipecac

1 : the dried rhizome and roots of either of two tropical American plants (Cephaelis acuminata and C. ipecacuanha) of the madder family used especially as a source of emetine also : either of these plants
2 : an emetic and expectorant drug that contains emetine and is prepared from ipecac especially as a syrup for use in treating accidental poisoning

Examples of ipecac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Running, biking, sit-ups, push-ups, leg lifts, aerobics, swimming, dancing, eating only once a day, laxatives, ipecac, a finger down the throat, getting drunk in hopes of vomiting, measuring and weighing my food and myself. — Andrea Jarrell, Harper's BAZAAR, "My Eating Disorder at 55," 4 Oct. 2017 Weight-loss regimens included consuming soap, chalk, pickles, digitalis, camphor tea, grapefruit (which was thought to contain fat-dissolving enzymes), potassium acetate (a diuretic), and ipecac (which induces vomiting). — Jerome Groopman, The New Yorker, "Is Fat Killing You, or Is Sugar?," 24 Mar. 2017

First Known Use of ipecac

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for ipecac

Portuguese ipecacuanha, from Tupi ɨpekakwánʸa, from ɨpéka duck + akwánʸa penis

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More Definitions for ipecac

ipecac

noun
ip·​e·​cac | \ ˈip-i-ˌkak How to pronounce ipecac (audio) \
variants: also ipecacuanha \ ˌip-​i-​ˌkak-​ü-​ˈan-​ə How to pronounce ipecacuanha (audio) \

Medical Definition of ipecac

1 : the dried rhizome and roots of either of two tropical American plants (Cephaelis acuminata and C. ipecacuanha) of the madder family used especially as a source of emetine and cephaeline also : either of these plants
2 : an emetic and expectorant preparation of ipecac especially : ipecac syrup

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