bezoar

[ bee-zawr, -zohr ]

noun

1. a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, especially ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
2. Obsolete. a counterpoison or antidote.

bezoar

/ ˈbiːzɔː /

noun

1. a hard mass, such as a stone or hairball, in the stomach and intestines of animals, esp ruminants, and man: formerly thought to be an antidote to poisons

Word History and Origins

Origin of bezoar¹

First recorded in 1470–80; earlier bezear, from Medieval Latin bezahar, from Arabic bā(di)zahr, from Persian pād-zahr “antidote, counterpoison,” from pād- “protector” + zahr “poison” ( bane ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bezoar¹

C15: from Old French bézoard , from Arabic bāzahr , from Persian bādzahr , from bād against + zahr poison

Example Sentences

These large apes are the ouanderou and the douc; to them, therefore, we must refer the production of the bezoar.

From Project Gutenberg

The oldest domesticated goats seem to be descended from the Bezoar goat (Capra ægagrus), from the mountains of southwestern Asia.

From Project Gutenberg

Other magic medicines exist such as aphrodisiacs, and bezoar stones.

From Project Gutenberg

In one case a midwife claimed to have a bezoar stone17 found in the body of an eel.

From Project Gutenberg

Bezoar stones are hard substances, of a dark color, and vary in size from a pea to a chestnut.

From Project Gutenberg