Definition of alkaloid Alkaloid

/æˈlkʌlɔjˌd/ - [atlkuloyd] - al•ka•loid

We found 9 definitions of alkaloid from 7 different sources.

What does alkaloid mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: alkaloids
alkaloid - natural bases containing nitrogen found in plants
		organic compound any compound of carbon and another element or a radical
		atropine a poisonous crystalline alkaloid extracted from the nightshade family; used as an antispasmodic and to dilate the eye pupil; also administered in large amounts as an antidote for organophosphate nerve agents or organophosphate insecticides
		hyoscyamine a poisonous crystalline alkaloid (isometric with atropine but more potent); used to treat excess motility of the gastrointestinal tract
		pilocarpine cholinergic alkaloid used in eyedrops to treat glaucoma
		hyoscine, scopolamine an alkaloid with anticholinergic effects that is used as a sedative and to treat nausea and to dilate the pupils in ophthalmic procedures; "transdermal scopolamine is used to treat motion sickness"; "someone sedated with scopolamine has difficulty lying"
		physostigmine used in treatment of Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma
		cinchonine an alkaloid derivative of the bark of cinchona trees that is used as an antimalarial drug
		ephedrine white odorless powdered or crystalline alkaloid from plants of the genus Ephedra (especially Ephedra sinica) or made synthetically; used as a bronchodilator to treat bronchitis and asthma
		ergonovine, ergotrate maleate an alkaloid derived from ergot (trade name Ergotrate Maleate) that is less toxic than ergot; induces muscular contraction of the uterus and is administered after childbirth or abortion
		ergotamine an alkaloid derived from ergot that is less toxic than ergot; causes constriction of blood vessels and is used to treat migraine
		pseudoephedrine poisonous crystalline alkaloid occurring with ephedrine and isomorphic with it
		nicotine an alkaloid poison that occurs in tobacco; used in medicine and as an insecticide
		strychnine an alkaloid plant toxin extracted chiefly from nux vomica; formerly used as a stimulant
		brucine a bitter alkaloid poison resembling strychnine and extracted from nux vomica
		betaine a sweet tasting alkaloid that occurs in sugar beets
		caffein, caffeine a bitter alkaloid found in coffee and tea that is responsible for their stimulating effects
		rauwolfia any shrub or small tree of the genus Rauwolfia having leaves in whorls and cymose flowers; yield substances used medicinally especially as emetics or purgatives or antihypertensives

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Wiktionary

alkaloid (Noun)
Any of many organic heterocyclic bases, that occur in nature and often have medicinal properties.
alkaloid (Adjective)
Relating to, resembling, or containing alkali.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

alkaloid (a.)
Alt. of Alkaloidal
alkaloid (n.)
An organic base, especially one of a class of substances occurring ready formed in the tissues of plants and the bodies of animals.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

alkaloid
A nitrogenous organic molecule that has a pharmacological effect on humans and other animals.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

alkaloid
al′ka-loid, n. a vegetable principle possessing in some degree alkaline properties.—adj. pertaining to or resembling alkali. [Alkali, and Gr. eidos, form or resemblance.]

Wikipedia

Alkaloids are chemical compounds that can be made naturally. They contain basic nitrogen atoms. The name comes from the word alkaline and was used to describe any alkaline containing nitrogen. Alkaloids are made by a large variety of organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals and are part of the group of natural products (also called secondary metabolites). Many alkaloids can be purified from basic substances by acid-base extraction. Many alkaloids are toxic to other organisms. Some alkaloids have a bitter taste.