Definition

1. Noun:
   • A perennial herb: A type of plant that lives for more than two years, originally from Europe but now found in other regions. It is characterized by heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers that look similar to buttercups.
   • A medicinal plant: Its tuberous roots have been historically used to make a poultice applied to the skin to alleviate the discomfort of hemorrhoids (piles).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Pilewort is sometimes called lesser celandine.
  • The herbalist recommended a poultice made from pilewort root.

Advanced Usage

• "Pilewort root": Specifically refers to the tuberous part of the plant used in traditional remedies.
  • The efficacy of dried pilewort root is debated in modern herbalism.

Variants and Related Words

• Lesser celandine (n): A common name for , the plant species known as pilewort.
• Fig buttercup (n): Another name for the same plant.

Synonyms

• Lesser celandine: The most common synonym for the plant.
• Fig buttercup: An alternative name highlighting the flower's resemblance.

Notes on Meaning

• The name "pilewort" is directly derived from its historical medicinal use for treating "piles" (hemorrhoids), with "-wort" being an old English word for "plant" or "herb."
• In modern contexts, it is primarily discussed as a wildflower or a garden plant, with its medicinal use being historical or niche.

Noun

1. perennial herb native to Europe but naturalized elsewhere having heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers resembling buttercups; its tuberous roots have been used as a poultice to relieve piles