castor-oil plant

American  

[kas-ter-oil, kah-ster-] / ˈkæs tərˈɔɪl, ˈkɑ stər- /

noun

1. a tall plant, Ricinus communis, of the spurge family, cultivated for its ornamental foliage and having poisonous seeds that are the source of castor oil.

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castor-oil plant British  

noun

1. Also called (US and Canadian): castor bean. a tall euphorbiaceous Indian plant, Ricinus communis, cultivated in tropical regions for ornament and for its poisonous seeds, from which castor oil is extracted

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Etymology

Origin of castor-oil plant

First recorded in 1835–45

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

castor-oil plant

They have a few small groves of palms; had just harvested some fair-sized dhourra-fields when we were last there; and had some fields of the castor-oil plant.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 462 Volume 18, New Series, November 6, 1852 by Robert Chambers

The castor-oil plant, indeed, is not more than four feet high, and the cotton but one foot; they produce, however, rather abundantly. 

From A Woman's Journey Round the World by Ida Pfeiffer

The figure is drawn on the floor with flour or rice, turmeric, charcoal powder, and leaves of the castor-oil plant.

From Omens and Superstitions of Southern India by Edgar Thurston

The castor-oil plant is a green and succulent shoot about six feet in height, with white flowers hanging in bunches like hops.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 15, No. 89, May, 1875 by Various

Among totemistic names are Baghela, tiger, also the name of a Rājpūt sept; Kutria, a dog; Khajūria, the date-palm tree; Mirchaunia, chillies; Andwār, from the castor-oil plant; Bhainsaiya, a buffalo; and Nāk, the nose.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India - Volume IV of IV Kumhar-Yemkala by R. V. (Robert Vane) Russell

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