I. ˈbərbəˌrēn, -_rə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: German berberin, from New Latin Berberis + German -in -ine
: a bitter crystalline yellow alkaloid C 20 H 19 NO 5 obtained from the roots of the barberry, goldenseal, and other plants and used as a tonic and antiperiodic
II. noun
also berberine tree
( -s )
: an African tree ( Xylopia polycarpa ) yielding a yellow dye containing berberine
III. ˈbərbəˌrēn, -īn adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Berber + -ine
: of or relating to the Berbers or their languages