noun
- a highly poisonous alkaloid obtained from the seeds of certain plants, especially nux vomica, used historically as a pesticide and in small doses as a stimulant
Usage: chemistry; toxicology
Examples
- The detective suspected strychnine poisoning based on the victim’s symptoms.
- Strychnine was once commonly used as rat poison.
- The plant contains dangerous levels of strychnine in its seeds.
- Forensic tests revealed traces of strychnine in the coffee cup.
- Due to its toxicity, strychnine is now banned in many countries.
- The bitter taste of strychnine makes it difficult to detect in food.