Pe‐ru″vi‐an (?), a. [Cf. F. péruvien, Sp. peruviano.] Of or pertaining to Peru, in South America. — 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.