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Webster 1913 Edition

mandrake

man′drake

(măn′drāk)
,
Noun.
[AS.
mandragora
, L.
mandragoras
, fr. Gr.
μανδραγόρας
: cf. F.
mandragore
.]
1.
(Bot.)
A low plant (
Mandragora officinarum
) of the Nightshade family, having a fleshy root, often forked, and supposed to resemble a man. It was therefore supposed to have animal life, and to cry out when pulled up. All parts of the plant are strongly narcotic. It is found in the Mediterranean region.
And shrieks like
mandrakes
, torn out of the earth,
That living mortals, hearing them, run mad.
Shakespeare
☞ The mandrake of Scripture was perhaps the same plant, but proof is wanting.
2.
(Bot.)
The May apple (
Podophyllum peltatum
). See
May apple
under
May
, and
Podophyllum
.
[U.S.]

Webster 1828 Edition

Mandrake

MAN'DRAKE

,
Noun.
[L. mandragoras.] A plant of the genus Atropa, growing naturally in Spain, Italy and the Levant. It is a narcotic,and its fresh roots are a violent cathartic. Its effect in rendering barren women prolific is supposed to be imaginary.

Definition 2024

mandrake

mandrake

English

Noun

mandrake ‎(plural mandrakes)

  1. (mythology) A mandragora, a kind of tiny demon immune to fire.
  2. Any plant of the genus Mandragora, certain of which are said to have medicinal properties; the curiously shaped root of these plants has been likened to the shape of a little man, and thus, has attained some mythic significance.

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