Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PIC-RO-TOX'IN, n. [Gr. πικρος, bitter, and L. toxicum.]

A white crystaline substance obtained from the fruit of Anamirta paniculata, and perhaps of Cocculus suberosus, and one of their active principles. It is composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, and appears to be a feeble acid; and as such, it is called picrotoxic acid.