nux vomica
noun
nux vom·i·ca
ˈnəks-ˈvä-mi-kə 
plural nux vomica
1
: the poisonous disk-shaped seed of a tree (Strychnos nux-vomica of the family Loganiaceae) of southern Asia that contains several alkaloids and especially strychnine and brucine
also
: the tree yielding nux vomica
2
: a drug containing nux vomica
Examples of nux vomica in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some were said to contain nux vomica, which the FDA noted contains strychnine, a potent poison used to kill rodents.
—
Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 16 June 2020
Regulators have issued five warning letters this year to companies selling products with nightshade or nux vomica.
—Matthew Perrone, chicagotribune.com, 18 Dec. 2017
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Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 16 June 2020
Regulators have issued five warning letters this year to companies selling products with nightshade or nux vomica.
—Matthew Perrone, chicagotribune.com, 18 Dec. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Nux vomica.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nux%20vomica. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
nux vomica
noun
nux vom·i·ca
ˈnəks-ˈväm-i-kə
plural nux vomica
1
: the poisonous seed of an Asian tree of the genus Strychnos (S. nux-vomica) that contains several alkaloids and especially strychnine and brucine
also
: the tree yielding nux vomica
2
: a drug containing nux vomica
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