cantharides

American  

[kan-thar-i-deez] / kænˈθær ɪˌdiz /

plural noun

singular

cantharis

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

Their smart upon the mind is like cantharides on the skin but often requires something more than a cabbage leaf and cerate to heal it.

From Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution by Judson, L. Carroll

Jackson long before had mentioned, as one of the eruptions belonging to this disease, "large bull�, as if produced by cantharides."

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

The external action of cantharides or cantharidin is extremely characteristic.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 2 "Camorra" to "Cape Colony" by Various

The mucus of the bladder is increased by cantharides, and perhaps by oil of turpentine.

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

Of blisters, those containing cantharides are most effective.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry