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ip·e·cac

(ĭpĭ-kăk′) also ip·e·cac·u·an·ha (ĭp′ĭ-kăk′y-ănə)

a. A low-growing tropical American shrub (Psychotria ipecacuanha syn. Cephaelis ipecacuanha) having roots and rhizomes that yield emetine.

b. The dried roots and rhizomes of this shrub.

2. A medicinal preparation made from the dried roots and rhizomes of this shrub that is used to induce vomiting, particularly in cases of poisoning and drug overdose.

[Short for Portuguese ipecacuanha, from Tupí ipekaaguéne : ipeh, low + kaâ, leaves + guéne, vomit.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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