curare

Meaning

1. A plant, Strychnos toxifera, formerly used in arrow poisons in South America due to its D-tubocurarine content.
2. Other South American plants with similar toxins that were also used in arrow poisons, mostly in the family Menispermaceae.
3. A substance containing the alkaloid D-tubocurarine, used historically as a muscle relaxant during surgery.

Synonyms

tubocurarine

assistant

coadjutor

help

helper

helpmate

helpmeet

nux vomica

vomiting nut

aide

curara

Pronounced as (IPA)

/kjʊˈɹɑː.ɹi/

Etymology

Cognate with Carib: urari

Cognate with Trió: urari

Cognate with Akawaio: urari

Cognate with Pemon: urari

Cognate with Macushi: urari

In summary

From a Cariban language; compare Kari'na urari, Trió urari, wïrari, Akawaio urari, Pemon urari, Macushi urari, referring to various vines of genus Strychnos.