Peruvian \Pe*ru"vi*an\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]ruvien, Sp. peruviano.]
Of or pertaining to Peru, in South America. -- n. A native or
an inhabitant of Peru.
Peruvian balsam. See Balsam of Peru, under Balsam.
Peruvian bark, the bitter bark of trees of various species
of Cinchona. It acts as a powerful tonic, and is a remedy
for malarial diseases. This property is due to several
alkaloids, as quinine, cinchonine, etc., and their
compounds; -- called also Jesuit's bark, and cinchona.
See Cinchona.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Cinchona \Cin*cho"na\, n. [So named from the wife of Count
Chinchon, viceroy of Peru in the seventeenth century, who by
its use was freed from an intermittent fever, and after her
return to Spain, contributed to the general propagation of
this remedy.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of trees growing naturally on the Andes in
Peru and adjacent countries, but now cultivated in the
East Indies, producing a medicinal bark of great value.
2. (Med.) The bark of any species of Cinchona containing
three per cent. or more of bitter febrifuge alkaloids;
Peruvian bark; Jesuits' bark.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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