rə̇ˈsərpə̇n, rēˈ-, -ˈzər-, -ˌpēn; ˈresərˌpēn, ˈrezə- noun
( -s )
Etymology: German reserpin, from reserp- (probably irregular from New Latin Rauwolfia serpentina, from Rauwolfia + serpentina, from Late Latin, feminine of serpentinus serpentine) + German -in -ine
: a crystalline pentacyclic sedative hypotensive alkaloid C 33 H 40 N 2 O 9 that is extracted especially from the root of shrubs of the genus Rauwolfia (as R. serpentina ) and is used in the treatment of hypertension and various mental diseases and tension states