bezoar

American  

[bee-zawr, -zohr] / ˈbi zɔr, -zoʊr /

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.

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bezoar British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of bezoar

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. ) )

Example Sentences

At the championship, they tackled such words as troika, jeremiad, syndrome, vitriol, spinet, bezoar and cynosure.

From Washington Times • Mar. 27, 2019

I often think of #HarryPotter when I stumble across images in #BHLib like these: Snowy Owl, spiders, bezoar, and mandrake!

From Slate • Nov. 20, 2017

“Oh, you’re like your mother.... Well, I can’t fault you… A bezoar would certainly act as an antidote to all these potions!”

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

Harry stood there waiting, the bezoar clutched in a slightly sweaty hand.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

She was so shocked, she even forgot that she was annoyed at Harry for his trick with the bezoar.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling