curare: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Medical/Literary
Quick answer
What does “curare” mean?
A highly toxic resinous extract from various South American plants, used by indigenous peoples as an arrow poison.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A highly toxic resinous extract from various South American plants, used by indigenous peoples as an arrow poison.
A substance containing alkaloids that block neuromuscular transmission, historically used in medicine as a muscle relaxant during surgery.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the same spelling and pronunciation.
Connotations
Same connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, limited to specialised contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “curare” in a Sentence
[curare + derived from + plant][curare + used as + poison/muscle relaxant]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “curare” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No verb form in standard use.
American English
- No verb form in standard use.
adverb
British English
- No adverb form in standard use.
American English
- No adverb form in standard use.
adjective
British English
- No adjective form in standard use.
American English
- No adjective form in standard use.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in anthropology (cultural practices), pharmacology (neuromuscular blockers), history of medicine.
Everyday
Extremely rare, only in specialised discussions.
Technical
Used in medical and pharmacological texts discussing muscle relaxants and poison mechanisms.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “curare”
- Incorrect plural: 'curares' (non-count noun, no plural).
- Mispronunciation: /kʊˈreər/ (it's /kjʊˈrɑːri/).
- Confusing it with 'curate' (a priest).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Pure curare is not used, but its derivative, tubocurarine, and synthetic analogues were historically used as muscle relaxants in anaesthesia. They have largely been replaced by newer drugs.
It comes from Portuguese or Spanish, ultimately from a Carib word (likely Macushi or Tupi) for the poison.
It causes paralysis by blocking the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, leading to respiratory failure.
Artificial respiration is critical until the toxin wears off. Neostigmine can be used as an antidote in a medical setting as it inhibits the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine.
A highly toxic resinous extract from various South American plants, used by indigenous peoples as an arrow poison.
Curare is usually technical/medical/literary in register.
Curare: in British English it is pronounced /kjʊˈrɑːri/, and in American English it is pronounced /kjʊˈrɑri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Curare sounds like 'cure rare' – ironically, it's a poison, but its derivatives helped cure surgical complications by relaxing muscles.
Conceptual Metaphor
POISON AS A TOOL (for hunting, medicine).
Practice
Quiz
In modern medicine, curare derivatives are primarily used as: