noun
- Plural of elaterin; bitter compounds found in plants of the cucumber family, formerly used as a purgative.
Usage: chemistry; botany; archaic/historical medical use
Examples
- Elaterins were extracted from squirting cucumber plants in traditional medicine.
- The elaterins in certain gourds have strong laxative properties.
- Early pharmacists studied elaterins as potential therapeutic agents.
- Elaterins are toxic compounds that should not be ingested without medical supervision.