Ve-rā'trīne

(Synop., § 130), Lat. veratrum, hellebore. See infra.] (Chem.) A vegetable alkaloid, obtained from Veratrum sabadilla, V. album, &c. It is generally obtained as a crystalline powder, nearly white, very acrid and poisonous, and excites, when introduced into the nostril, violent and even dangerous sneezing. In the form of a tincture or an ointment, it is much used as an external application in neuralgia and obstinate rheumatic pains. Gregory.