veratrum

noun

ve·​ra·​trum və-ˈrā-trəm How to pronounce veratrum (audio)

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, a plant genus, going back to Latin vērātrum "any of various poisonous or medicinal plants, probably of the genera Helleborus and Veratrum," probably of pre-Latin origin

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of veratrum was in 1577

Dictionary Entries Near veratrum

Cite this Entry

“Veratrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veratrum. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

veratrum

noun
ve·​ra·​trum və-ˈrā-trəm How to pronounce veratrum (audio)
1
a
capitalized : a genus of coarse herbs of the lily family (Liliaceae) having short poisonous rootstocks
b
: any hellebore of the genus Veratrum
2

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