cantharides

American  

[kan-thar-i-deez] / kænˈθær ɪˌdiz /

plural noun

1. Spanish fly.

2. cantharis. Spanish fly.

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cantharides British  

/ kænˈθærɪˌdiːz /

plural noun

1. Also called: Spanish fly.  a diuretic and urogenital stimulant or irritant prepared from the dried bodies of Spanish fly (family Meloidae, not Cantharidae ), once thought to be an aphrodisiac

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Etymology

Origin of cantharides

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin, plural of cantharis < Greek kantharís blister fly

Example Sentences

A dangerous compound of the latter sort introduced during the first epidemic of cholera in this country became officinal under the name of liniment of cantharides.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

Diuretics, as neutral salts, fixed alcali, balsams, resins, asparagus, cantharides.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus

The peppers, especially cubebs, I have thought serviceable, and very minute doses of cantharides have seemed to be attended with benefit.

From The Dog by Dinks

Experiments are wanting to introduce some acrid application into practice instead of cantharides, which might not induce the strangury.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus

M. M. Fomentation clyster with oil and laudanum, push the stone back with a bougie; if from cantharides give half a pint of warm water every ten minutes.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus