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Mandrake
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun Mandrake has 2 senses
- mandrake(n = noun.plant) mandrake root - the root of the mandrake plant; used medicinally or as a narcotic; Array is a part of devil's apples, mandragora officinarum, mandrake
- mandrake(n = noun.plant) devil's apples, mandragora officinarum - a plant of southern Europe and North Africa having purple flowers, yellow fruits and a forked root formerly thought to have magical powers; Array is a kind of herb, herbaceous plant
is a kind of root
is a member of genus mandragora, mandragora
has parts: mandrake, mandrake root
CIDE DICTIONARY
Mandrake, n. [AS. mandragora, L. mandragoras, fr. Gr. mandrago`ras: cf. F. mandragore.].
- 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. [1913 Webster]" The mandrake of Scripture was perhaps the same plant, but proof is wanting." [1913 Webster]"And shrieks like mandrakes, torn out of the earth,
That living mortals, hearing them, run mad." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
Mandrake, n. a poisonous plant, Mandragora officinarum, with white or purple flowers and large yellow fruit, having emetic and narcotic properties and possessing a root once thought to resemble the human form and to shriek when plucked.
Etymology
ME mandrag(g)e, prob. f. MDu. mandrag(r)e f. med.L (as MANDRAGORA): assoc. with MAN + drake dragon (cf. DRAKE(1))
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