Chem. [From Brucea antidysenterica, the tree which was supposed to furnish false Angustura bark, now understood to be the bark of a species of Strychnos.]
A vegetable alkaloid existing in false Angustura bark, and (along with strychnine) in Nux Vomica; like strychnine it is a strong poison.
1823. J. Badcock, Dom. Amusem., 148. Brucine … a new alkali is … procured … from the … brucea anti-dysenterica.
c. 1865. J. Wylde, in Circ. Sc., I. 416/1. Brucine may be separated from strychnine by its solubility in cold alcohol.
