henbane

American  

[hen-beyn] / ˈhɛnˌbeɪn /

noun

1. an Old World plant, Hyoscyamus niger, of the nightshade family, having sticky, hairy fetid foliage and greenish-yellow flowers, and possessing narcotic and poisonous properties especially destructive to domestic fowls.

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henbane British  

/ ˈhɛnˌbeɪn /

noun

1. a poisonous solanaceous European plant, Hyoscyamus niger, with sticky hairy leaves and funnel-shaped greenish flowers: yields the drug hyoscyamine

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Etymology

Origin of henbane

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at hen, bane

Example Sentences

Druggists prepare this juice of the herb, and an extract; also, they dispense a compound liniment of Henbane, which, when applied to the skin-surface on piline, is of great service for relieving obstinate rheumatic pains.

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by Fernie, William Thomas

In this uncertainty I should incline to the Henbane from the following description by Gerard and Lyte.

From The plant-lore & garden-craft of Shakespeare by Ellacombe, Henry Nicholson

Rubus bambusarum Rosace� The flowers give place to a black edible fruit Henbane.

From Trees and Shrubs for English Gardens by Cook, Ernest Thomas

Two of the large plates were visible from the street; one was Henbane, the other Stramonium.

From Two Little Savages Being the adventures of two boys who lived as Indians and what they learned by Seton, Ernest Thompson

"Nay, it is only worthy Master Henbane Dwining," answered one of the sibyls.

From The Fair Maid of Perth Or, St. Valentine's Day by Scott, Walter, Sir