n. A nonnarcotic alkaloid obtained from the opium poppy, C22H23NO7, that has antitussive and antitumor properties and has been used as a cough suppressant. [Alteration (influenced by Latin nōscere, to get to know; see NOTION) of gnoscopine, a racemic mixture of noscapine and its enantiomer : Greek (gi)gnōskō, first person singular of gignōskein, to know (from the fact that it was previously unknown); see gnō- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + OP(IUM) + -INE2.] |
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