Pe*ru"vi*an (?), a. [Cf. F. p'eruvien, Sp. peruviano.]
Of or pertaining to Peru, in South America.
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n.
A native or an inhabitant of Peru.
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.
© Webster 1913.