n. 1 a any evergreen tree or shrub of the genus Cinchona, native to S. America, with fragrant flowers and yielding cinchona bark. b the bark of this tree, containing quinine. 2 any drug from this bark formerly used as a tonic and to stimulate the appetite. cinchonic adj. cinchonine n.
[ mod.L f. Countess of Chinchón d. 1641, introducer of drug into Spain ]