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.