pilocarpine

[ pahy-luh-kahr-peen, -pin, pil-uh- ]
/ ˌpaɪ ləˈkɑr pin, -pɪn, ˌpɪl ə- /

noun Pharmacology.

an oil or crystalline alkaloid, C11H16N2O2, obtained from jaborandi, and used chiefly to produce sweating, promote the flow of saliva, contract the pupil of the eye, and for glaucoma.

Origin of pilocarpine

1870–75; < New Latin Pilocarp(us) name of the genus of shrubs which includes jaborandi (< Greek pîlo(s) felt, wool or hair made into felt + -o- -o- + -karpos -carp) + -ine1

Words nearby pilocarpine

pills, pillsbury, pillwort, pilo-, pilobezoar, pilocarpine, pilocystic, piloerection, piloid, pilojection, pilomatrixoma

Example sentences from the Web for pilocarpine

British Dictionary definitions for pilocarpine

pilocarpine

pilocarpin (ˌpaɪləʊˈkɑːpɪn)

/ (ˌpaɪləʊˈkɑːpaɪn, -pɪn) /

noun

an alkaloid extracted from the leaves of the jaborandi tree, formerly used to induce sweating. Formula: C 11 H 16 N 2 O 2

Word Origin for pilocarpine

C19: from New Latin Pilocarpus genus name, from Greek pilos hair + karpos fruit

Medical definitions for pilocarpine

pilocarpine
[ pī′lō-kär′pēn′ ]

n.

A colorless or yellow poisonous compound used to induce sweating, promote salivation, and treat glaucoma.