Alkaloid

Al"ka*loid (ăl"kȧ*loid), n. (Chem.) An organic base, especially one of a class of substances occurring ready formed in the tissues of plants and the bodies of animals.

Alkaloids all contain nitrogen, carbon, and hydrogen, and many of them also contain oxygen. They include many of the active principles in plants; thus, morphine and narcotine are alkaloids found in opium.

{ Al"ka*loid (ăl"kȧ*loid), Al`ka*loid"al (ăl`kȧ*loid"al), } a. [Alkali + -oid: cf. F. alcaloïde.] Pertaining to, resembling, or containing, alkali.