peruvian

• POS: Adjective, Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

peruvian, a. [Cf. F. péruvien, Sp. peruviano.].

 Of or pertaining to Peru, in South America.  [1913 Webster]

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.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

peruvian, n. & adj.
--n.
1 a native or national of Peru.
2 a person of Peruvian descent.
--adj. of or relating to Peru.

Idiom

Peruvian bark the bark of the cinchona tree.

Etymology

mod.L Peruvia Peru