digitalis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Medical / Botanical
Quick answer
What does “digitalis” mean?
A drug derived from the dried leaves of the foxglove plant, used as a heart stimulant.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A drug derived from the dried leaves of the foxglove plant, used as a heart stimulant.
The foxglove plant (genus Digitalis) itself, from which the medicinal drug is obtained. Sometimes used metaphorically or in brand names relating to digital technology, though this is a false cognate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The plant is equally known as 'foxglove' in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical technical and botanical connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language in both regions, restricted to specific professional domains.
Grammar
How to Use “digitalis” in a Sentence
The doctor administered digitalis to the patient.Digitalis is derived from the foxglove.Treatment with digitalis requires careful monitoring.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “digitalis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The patient was digitalised to manage atrial fibrillation.
- They decided to digitalise him slowly.
American English
- The patient was digitalized to control the heart rate.
- The protocol involves digitalizing the patient over several days.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form in use)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form in use)
adjective
British English
- The digitalis therapy was effective.
- She experienced digitalis-induced nausea.
American English
- The digitalis treatment was successful.
- He showed signs of digitalis toxicity.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used, except perhaps in pharmaceutical industry reports.
Academic
Used in medical, pharmacological, and botanical research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might appear in historical novels or gardening contexts.
Technical
The primary domain. Used in cardiology, pharmacology, toxicology, and botany.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “digitalis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “digitalis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “digitalis”
- Using 'digitalis' to mean anything related to computers or digital technology.
- Pronouncing it as /dɪˈdʒɪtəlɪs/ (like 'digital') instead of /ˌdɪdʒɪˈteɪlɪs/ or /ˌdɪdʒɪˈtælɪs/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Digitalis refers to the crude drug from the foxglove plant or the plant itself. Digoxin is a specific, purified cardiac glycoside extracted from digitalis.
No, not as 'digitalis'. Its purified derivatives, like digoxin, are prescription-only medicines. The raw plant is poisonous and not sold as medicine.
The name comes from the Latin 'digitus', meaning finger. It refers to the finger-shaped flowers of the foxglove plant.
It is highly effective but has a very narrow therapeutic index, meaning the difference between a helpful dose and a toxic dose is small. It requires strict medical supervision.
A drug derived from the dried leaves of the foxglove plant, used as a heart stimulant.
Digitalis is usually technical / medical / botanical in register.
Digitalis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪdʒɪˈteɪlɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪdʒɪˈtælɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DIGIT (finger) wearing a foxglove flower as a thimble. The plant's name, Digitalis, comes from its finger-shaped flowers, and it gives us a powerful drug for the heart.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE'S HEART REGULATOR: The plant is metaphorically framed as a potent, natural source of medicine that can 'control' or 'strengthen' the heart's rhythm.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary source of the drug digitalis?