Digitalis

/dɪdʒɪˈteɪlɪs/ noun

Definition

A flowering plant (foxglove) or a powerful heart medicine derived from it.

Etymology

From New Latin 'digitalis' combining Latin 'digitus' (finger) because the flowers resemble thimbles or fingers. Named by botanists in the 1500s-1600s.

Kelly Says

Digitalis saved millions of lives by treating heart failure, yet it's extremely poisonous—the difference between medicine and poison is literally just the dose, a principle called Paracelsus's Law.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.