‖ nux vomica
(nʌks ˈvɒmɪkə)
[med.L. f. nux nut + fem. of *vomicus, f. voměre to vomit.]
1. The seed contained in the pulpy fruit of an East Indian tree (Strychnos Nux-vomica), from which the poison strychnia is obtained.
| 1578 Langham Gard. Health 437 Nvx vomica either alone or with salt, causeth a strong vomite. 1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. xiii. xiii. (1886) 252 Into whom he had thrust a dramme of Nux vomica, or some other such poison. 1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. Boccalini's Advts. fr. Parnass. ii. xc. (1674) 244 The Arsnick, and Nux Vomica of those torturing plaisters. 1693 Phil. Trans. XVII. 763 The Publisher gives us 4 sorts of Caniram, all a-kin to the Nux Vomica of our Shops. 1711 Lond. Gaz. No. 4845/4, 2 Bales qt. each 5 C. of Nux Vomica. 1778 R. James' Diss. Fevers (ed. 8) 48 Cutting in small pieces some of the crow fig, commonly called nux vomica. 1822–34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) I. 627 The nux vomica and Ignatius's bean..combine, with an intense bitter, a most active narcotic virtue. 1860 Piesse Lab. Chem. Wonders 63 The fearful and fatal powers of nux⁓vomica have rendered it well known throughout the world. 1879 St. George's Hosp. Rep. IX. 157 She was in hospital for eleven weeks, under treatment by nux vomica and valerian. |
| attrib. 1861 Bentley Man. Bot. 591 The Koochla tree produces Nux Vomica seeds, so well known for their powerfully poisonous effects. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1106/1 The alkaloid..had been derived from nux-vomica bark. Ibid., The wood of the nux-vomica tree is hard and very bitter. |
2. The tree producing the nux-vomica seeds.
| 1876 Harley Mat. Med. (ed. 6) 511 Nux-vomica, is a small tree, with a crooked stem, and corymbs of greenish white flowers. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. II. 66 Strychnine..is procured from the bruised seeds of the nux vomica, which are imported from..Ceylon. |
Hence
nux-ˈvomicize v., to adulterate by infusing nux vomica.
| 1866 Blackmore Cradock Nowell xlviii, Stuff..which the publicans nux vomicize up to proof. |