How Do You Spell QUINA?

Pronunciation: [kwˈɪnə] (IPA)

The word "Quina" is spelled with the letters Q-U-I-N-A. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈkinə/. The first syllable is pronounced with the sound /k/ followed by the vowel sound /i/. The second syllable starts with the consonant sound /n/ and ends with the vowel sound /ə/, which is pronounced like the "a" in "sofa". The spelling of "Quina" reflects the sounds that make up this word, making it easy to identify and pronounce correctly.

QUINA Meaning and Definition

1. Quina is a noun referring to a tree of the cinchona genus, particularly Cinchona officinalis and other related species native to South America, mainly Peru. This evergreen tree typically grows up to 30 feet tall and bears small, white or pink flowers and glossy leaves. Quina is renowned for containing alkaloids such as quinine, a potent antimalarial agent. The bark of the quina tree, known as Peruvian bark, has been traditionally used for centuries by indigenous people in the treatment of fevers and other ailments.

   In a broader context, "quina" can also refer to the powdered or extracted form of quina bark, often employed in the production of medicine. Quina is widely recognized for its bitter taste due to the presence of quinine, which also imparts its therapeutic properties. Quinine extracted from quina is known for its ability to treat malaria, given its strong antiparasitic properties. Nowadays, quina derivatives are still used in contemporary medicine, particularly in the production of certain antimalarial drugs, as well as in the manufacturing of tonic water, which is used as a mixer in beverages such as gin and tonic.

   Additionally, "quina" can also refer to a monetary unit, particularly in Brazil and Uruguay, where it denotes one-fifth of an existing currency unit. In Brazil, "quina" equates to one-fifth of the Brazilian real, while in Uruguay, it stands for one-fifth of the Uruguayan peso.

2. Cinchona bark.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. One of the alkaline proximate principles in which the medicinal virtues of the Peruvian bark reside, highly valued in the treatment of agues, &c., and for its tonic properties.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for QUINA

• quinqa

Etymology of QUINA

The word "quina" has multiple etymological origins depending on its context:

1. Quina as a plant: "Quina" is derived from the Quechua word "kina" or "quina-quina", which refers to the Cinchona tree or its bark. In Quechua, "kina" means "bark", and "quina-quina" translates to "highest bark" or "very valuable bark". Cinchona bark was historically used for its medicinal properties, particularly for treating malaria, due to the presence of quinine.

2. Quina as a coin: In the context of currency, particularly in Brazil, "quina" is derived from the Portuguese word "quinhão". "Quinhão" originally referred to a portion of a property or an inheritance. Over time, it came to be associated with a coin or a monetary unit.