senega
[sen-i-guh]
- the dried root of a milkwort, Polygala senega, of the eastern U.S., used as an expectorant and diuretic.
- the plant itself.
Origin of senega
1730–40; variant of Seneca, from its use by this tribe
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for senega
Historical Examples
Ammonia and senega should be given if the sufferer is very weak.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume IIArnold Cooley
The froth produced by shaking an infusion of senega keeps much longer than that produced by an infusion of the adulterant.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume IIArnold Cooley
Acrell, in the Amœnitates Academicæ, informs us that the senega possesses a similar power.
Curiosities of Medical ExperienceJ. G. (John Gideon) Millingen
It is the antidote employed by the Senega Indians against the bite of the rattlesnake.
From equal parts of squills and senega, as the last, but by displacement.
senega
- a milkwort plant, Polygala senega, of the eastern US, with small white flowers
- the root of this plant, used as an expectorant
Also called (US and Canadian): senega snakeroot, seneca snakeroot
Word Origin
C18: variant of Seneca (the Indian tribe)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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senega
(sĕn′ĭ-gə)
- The dried roots of the Seneca snakeroot, used medicinally as an expectorant.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.