Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

quinine

Noun
/ˈkwɪnɪn/
Definition
A bitter compound obtained from the bark of the cinchona tree, used primarily to treat malaria.
Examples
  • Quinine was once a common treatment for malaria in many parts of the world.
  • Many tonic waters contain quinine, giving them a characteristic bitter flavor.
  • Doctors prescribed quinine as a remedy for fevers long before other treatments were discovered.
Meaning
Quinine is a medication that has been historically used to prevent and treat malaria and also acts as a muscle relaxant.
Synonyms
  • Chinine
  • Antimalarial
  • Medicinal bark