curare Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a toxic alkaloid found in certain tropical South American trees that is a powerful relaxant for striated muscles
    tubocurarine.
    • curare acts by blocking cholinergic transmission at the myoneural junction

WordNet


Cu*ra"re, Cu*ra"ri noun (Also<
  • Curare
  • Curari
)
Etymology
Native name. Cf. Wourall.
Definitions
  1. A black resinoid extract prepared by the South American Indians from the bark of several species of Strychnos (S. toxifera, etc.). It sometimes has little effect when taken internally, but is quickly fatal when introduced into the blood, and used by the Indians as an arrow poison. Written also urari, woorali, woorari, etc.

Webster 1913