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Glite Dictionary
nux vomica

nux vomica

9.9
A traditional medicine from tree seeds once used to make the body more active but very poisonous
  • noun
  • /nʌks ˈvɒmɪkə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : nux vomica
  • Nineteenth-century doctors sometimes prescribed nux vomica as a remedy for paralysis and weakness.

Examples

  • The seeds of nux vomica are highly toxic if misused.

  • Herbalists once valued nux vomica for its alleged stimulating effects on the nervous system.

  • The doctor prescribed nux vomica for her fatigue.

  • Have you ever heard of nux vomica?

  • Nineteenth-century doctors sometimes prescribed nux vomica as a remedy for paralysis and weakness.

  • Herbalists once valued nux vomica for its alleged stimulating effects on the nervous system.

  • The doctor prescribed nux vomica for her fatigue.

Surface Forms

nux vomica singular
nux vomicas plural

Morphology

nux + vomica

“Nux vomica” is a Latin botanical/binomial name made of non‑English lexical items that a B1 learner will not know; the constituent forms carry no transparent, everyday meaning in English. Its sense as a specific, toxic medicinal preparation (containing strychnine/brucine) is technical and cannot be derived from the parts without specialist or prior lexical knowledge, so it is idiomatic/opaque to learners.

Etymology

Nux vomica comes from old Latin words nux and vomica, meaning 'nut' and 'to vomit', because the tree's seeds are poisonous and can make people sick. Herbalists long ago made a medicine from tiny amounts of these seeds, so today nux vomica refers to a seed-based medicine that can be toxic if misused.