nicotine

Definition

An alkaloid (C₁₀H₁₄N₂), commonly occurring in the tobacco plant.

Etymology

Borrowed from French nicotine, equivalent to Nicot + -ine, named after Jean Nicot (1530–1604), the French ambassador to Portugal, who sent tobacco seeds back to France in 1561. The etymology of the surname itself is unclear.

Example Sentences

• "She is addicted to nicotine."
• "The nicotine in tobacco has been held to produce anaphrodisiac effects, in spite of such literary commendation as J.M. Barrie's My Lady Nicotine."
• "The website calls a vote for Alyona a vote against "beauties who do not look natural and who cannot be distinguished from each other" and rails against the "imposed standards" of 90-60-90 vital statistics, and "cigarettes with out nicotine and coffee without caffeine"."