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Webster 1913 Edition
Wormwood
Worm′wood
,Noun.
[AS.
werm[GREEK]d
, akin to OHG. wermuota
, wormuota
, G. wermuth
, wermut
; of uncertain origin.] 1.
(Bot.)
A composite plant (
Artemisia Absinthium
), having a bitter and slightly aromatic taste, formerly used as a tonic and a vermifuge, and to protect woolen garments from moths. It gives the peculiar flavor to the cordial called absinthe. The volatile oil is a narcotic poison. The term is often extended to other species of the same genus. 2.
Anything very bitter or grievous; bitterness.
Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and
wormwood
. Deut. xxix. 18.
Roman wormwood
(Bot.)
, an American weed (
– Ambrosia artemisiaefolia
); hogweed. Tree wormwood
(Bot.)
, a species of Artemisia (probably
– Artemisia variabilis
) with woody stems. Wormwood hare
(Zool.)
, a variety of the common hare (
Lepus timidus
); – so named from its color.Webster 1828 Edition
Wormwood
WORMWOOD
,Noun.
Tree-wormwood, a species of Artemisia, with woody stalks.
Definition 2024
wormwood
wormwood
English
Noun
wormwood (plural wormwoods)
- An intensely bitter herb (Artemisia absinthium and similar plants in genus Artemisia) used in medicine, in the production of absinthe and vermouth, and as a tonic.
- (Can we date this quote?), William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act I, Scene iii (the nurse's monologue).
- But as I said, / When it did taste the wormwood on the nipple / Of my dug and felt it bitter, pretty fool, / To see it tetchy and fall out with the dug! /
- (Can we date this quote?), William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act I, Scene iii (the nurse's monologue).
- Anything that causes bitterness or affliction.
Synonyms
- (botany): artemisia, grande wormwood, mugwort, absinthe, Artemisia pontica
Derived terms
Translations
Artemisia absinthium
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that which causes bitterness