Worm"wood (?), n. [AS. werm&?;d, akin
to OHG. wermuota, wormuota, G. wermuth, wermut;
of uncertain origin.]
1. (Bot.) A composite plant (Artemisia
Absinthium), having a bitter and slightly aromatic taste, formerly used
as a tonic and a vermifuge, and to protect woolen garments from moths. It
gives the peculiar flavor to the cordial called absinthe. The volatile oil
is a narcotic poison. The term is often extended to other species of the
same genus.
2. Anything very bitter or grievous;
bitterness.
Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and
wormwood.
Deut. xxix. 18.
Roman wormwood (Bot.), an American weed
(Ambrosia artemisiæfolia); hogweed. -- Tree
wormwood (Bot.), a species of Artemisia (probably
Artemisia variabilis) with woody stems. -- Wormwood
hare (Zoöl.), a variety of the common hare
(Lepus timidus); -- so named from its color.
Worm"wood (?), n. [AS. werm&?;d, akin
to OHG. wermuota, wormuota, G. wermuth, wermut;
of uncertain origin.]
1. (Bot.) A composite plant (Artemisia
Absinthium), having a bitter and slightly aromatic taste, formerly used
as a tonic and a vermifuge, and to protect woolen garments from moths. It
gives the peculiar flavor to the cordial called absinthe. The volatile oil
is a narcotic poison. The term is often extended to other species of the
same genus.
2. Anything very bitter or grievous;
bitterness.
Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and
wormwood.
Deut. xxix. 18.
Roman wormwood (Bot.), an American weed
(Ambrosia artemisiæfolia); hogweed. -- Tree
wormwood (Bot.), a species of Artemisia (probably
Artemisia variabilis) with woody stems. -- Wormwood
hare (Zoöl.), a variety of the common hare
(Lepus timidus); -- so named from its color.
