nicotine

This page is about the eponym nicotine

Meaning

a toxic, addictive liquid found in the tobacco plant

For example

  • My nicotine patch is supposed to help me stop smoking.

  • It's the nicotine that makes cigarettes so addicting.

Origin: Jean Nicot (1530-1600) was a French ambassador to Portugal. He introduced tobacco to France, and claimed it had healing properties. The addictive substance was later named after him.

Quick Quiz

Which is true about nicotine?

a. It's made from cigarettes.

b. It's used in cigarettes.

c. It's grown for cigarettes.
a) It's made from cigarettes. b) It's used in cigarettes. c) It's grown for cigarettes.

Contributor: Tara Benwell