- Enter a word for the dictionary definition. From The
Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Quinine \Qui"nine\, n. [F. (cf. Sp. quinina), fr. Sp. quina, or
quinaquina, Peruvian bark, fr. Peruv. kina, quina, bark. Cf.
Kinic.] (Chem.) An alkaloid extracted from the bark of several
species of cinchona (esp. Cinchona Calisaya) as a bitter white
crystalline substance, C20H24N2O2. Hence, by extension (Med.),
any of the salts of this alkaloid, as the acetate, chloride,
sulphate, etc., employed as a febrifuge or antiperiodic. Called
also quinia, quinina, etc. [Written also chinine.] [1913
Webster]