strychnine UK /ˈstɹɪk.niːn/US /ˈstrɪkˌnaɪn/ noun1 •A very toxic, colorless crystalline alkaloid, derived from nux vomica, used as a pesticide.[…] strychnine is a fairly rapid drug in its action. The symptoms appear from one to two hours after it has been swallowed. — 1920 formsstrychnines