mandrake
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A poisonous plant (Mandragora officinarum) native to the Mediterranean region, having purple flowers, yellow berries, and a large, often forked root. Historically, its root was thought to resemble a human form and was attributed with magical and narcotic properties.
- The root of this plant, used historically in medicine, witchcraft, and as a narcotic or sedative.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Plant):
- The ancient herbalist carefully harvested the mandrake from the rocky soil.
- Legends warned that the mandrake would scream when pulled from the ground.
- Noun (Root):
- The sorcerer's pouch contained a dried mandrake, carved to look like a tiny man.
- In some historical practices, mandrake was used as an anesthetic.
Advanced Usage
- "Mandrake root": This specific phrase emphasizes the part of the plant used for its purported properties.
- The potion called for a sliver of mandrake root.
- In literary and historical contexts, "mandrake" is often associated with superstition, magic, and danger due to its toxic nature and legendary scream.
Variants and Related Words
- Mandragora (n): The scientific genus name for the mandrake plant.
- Mandrake apple (n): A term sometimes used for the plant's yellow fruit.
Synonyms
- Sorcerer's root: A poetic synonym referencing its use in magic.
- Witch's manikin: Another historical name alluding to the root's human-like shape.
Notes on Different Meanings
The word "mandrake" consistently refers to the specific plant or its root. Its different connotations arise from context: 1. Botanical Meaning: Referring to the living plant species. 2. Folkloric/Historical Meaning: Referring to the root as an object of myth, medicine, or magic.
Noun
- a plant of southern Europe and North Africa having purple flowers, yellow fruits and a forked root formerly thought to have magical powers
- the root of the mandrake plant; used medicinally or as a narcotic