What does quina mean?
Quina is a relatively uncommon word with three connected meanings. Most traditionally, it refers to the bark of a cinchona tree, a South American tree whose bark was traded as a source of the medicine quinine. It can also name the tree itself. In another, more specialized sense, quina denotes a bitter tonic drink made with quinine water, sometimes with the addition of tonic water or spirits. The word is historically associated with the global trade in cinchona bark and with nineteenth-century medicine, when quinine was widely used to treat malaria. Although modern speakers normally use quinine for the medicinal compound, quina remains valuable because it preserves the commercial, botanical, and cultural history surrounding cinchona. The name also survives in the language of aperitifs and old-fashioned mixed drinks.
nounThe bark or tree of any of several cinchonas, historically used as a source of quinine. The word can also denote a quinine-based tonic drink.
- The bark of a cinchona tree, used medicinally as a source of quinine.
- A cinchona tree or shrub.
- A drink made with quinine water, often combined with tonic water and brandy.
"The apothecary ground the quina into a fine powder for use in medicinal tonics."
"Merchant ships once carried quina bark from South America to European apothecaries."
"He ordered a quina to settle his stomach before the evening meal."
The plural is standard but uncommon, reflecting the word's restricted modern usage.
"The bark of these quinas was once among the most valuable exports from South America."
Once a prized fever remedy, quina named the tree whose bark helped give the world one of its most famous medicines.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does quina come from?
English borrowed quina from Spanish, in which the word denotes cinchona bark and ultimately comes from the Quechua word quinquina. The same source underlies quinine and the English form quinquina. As the use of cinchona bark expanded in medicine and international commerce, quina became closely associated with the alkaloid quinine, although the names did not entirely replace one another.
How quina is actually used
The tree and bark senses are specialized and are now encountered mainly in historical, botanical, or pharmacological contexts. The drink sense is chiefly associated with traditional tonic drinks and mixed beverages.
Easily confused with quina
Quina refers to the cinchona tree, its bark, or a quinine-based drink, whereas quinine is the alkaloid obtained from cinchona bark.