▪ I. delphinine, n. Chem.
(ˈdɛlfɪnaɪn)
[f. Bot. L. Delphīnium the genus Larkspur.]
A highly poisonous alkaloid obtained from the seeds of Delphinium Staphesagria or Stavesacre. Called also delˈphinia, and formerly ˈdelphia, delˌphina, ˈdelphine.
| 1830 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. 7 The chemical principle called Delphine. 1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 246 Delphina was discovered, in 1819, by MM. Lassaigne and Feneulle in the seeds of the..stavesacre. 1840 Henry Elem. Chem. II. 304 Of Delphia. 1863–72 Watts Dict. Chem. II. 310 Delphinine produces nausea when taken internally. It is said to act on the nervous system, and is used as a remedy in chronic swellings of the glands. 1876 Harley Mat. Med. 769 The active properties are due to delphinia or delphinine. |
▪ II. ˈdelphinine, a.
Of the nature of a dolphin: in Zool., of or pertaining to the Delphinīnæ or sub-family of Cetacea, containing the Dolphins and Porpoises.