a white crystalline alkaloid obtained from plants of the genus Ephedra: used for the treatment of asthma and hay fever; l-phenyl-2-methylaminopropanol. Formula: C6H5CH(OH)CH(NHCH3)CH3
Word origin
C19: from New Latin ephedra + -ine2
ephedrine in American English
(ɛˈfɛdrɪn; Chiefly British ˈɛfəˌdrin; ˈɛfədrɪn)
noun
an alkaloid, C10H15NO, derived from certain Asiatic gymnosperms (family Ephedraceae) or synthesized, and used to relieve nasal congestion and asthma and to constrict certain blood vessels
Word origin
< ModL Ephedra < L ephedra, the plant horsetail < Gr < ephedros, sitting by < epi-, on, near + hedra, a seat (see sit) + -ine3