ipecac

plural ipecacs · alternative ipecacuanha

1. countableuncountableThe dried rhizome and roots of either of two tropical American plants (Cephaelis acuminata and Cephaelis ipecacuanha) of the madder family used especially as a source of emetine.
2. countableuncountablemedicineAn emetic and expectorant drug that contains emetine and is prepared from ipecac especially as a syrup for use in treating accidental poisoning.

   Mary Reynolds could list her physician-owner's entire materia medica (the common term for pharmacological supplies) for slaves in one breathː "Dr. Kilpatrick gave sick [slaves] ipecac and asafoetide and oil and turpentine and black fever pills.

   2008, Harriet A. Washington, “Southern Discomfort”, in Medical Apartheid, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, page 66

   Synonyms: syrup of ipecac

3. countableuncountableThe shrub that produces ipecac (Cephaelis ipecacuanha), native to Brazil and cultivated elsewhere.