Definition of "ipecacuanha"

ipecacuanha

/ɪpɪkakjuːˈænə/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural ipecacuanhas
1. (medicine, pharmaceutics) The root of Carapichea ipecacuanha, used as an emetic or purgative; a preparation of this root used as a drug; ipecac.
  Quotations
  This ipecacuanha is a most disagreeable medicine!
  1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter CCXI”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; […]
2. (medicine, pharmaceutics) The flowering plant Carapichea ipecacuanha.