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peruvian

Of or pertaining to Peru, in south America.

A native or an inhabitant of Peru. Peruvian balsam. See balsam of Peru, under Balsam. Peruvian bark, the bitter bark of trees of various species of cinchona. It acts as a powerful tonic, and is a remedy for malarial diseases. This property is due to several alkaloids, as quinine, cinchonine, etc, and their compounds; called also Jesuit's bark, and cinchona. See Cinchona.

Origin: Cf. F. Peruvien, Sp. Peruviano.