cantharides

American  

[kan-thar-i-deez] / kænˈθær ɪˌdiz /

plural noun

• cantharis
  singular

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

See Examples For:

cantharides cantharis

Turpentine and cantharides are not now recommended as diuretics, as they are too irritating to the kidneys.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 5 "Dinard" to "Dodsworth" by Various

Inverted motions of the urinary lymphatics are reclaimed by cantharides, turpentine, rosin, the sorbentia, and opium, with calcareous earth, and earth of alum, by oil externally, warm-bath.

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

Secretion of mucus of the bladder is increased by cantharides, by spirit of turpentine?

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

When applied in this fashion a certain quantity of the cantharides is absorbed.

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

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

Under this heading may also be mentioned the domesticated insects, the silkworm, the bee and the cantharis.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 8 "Ethiopia" to "Evangelical Association" by Various

But Numenius, in his Art of Fishing, enumerates plainly enough some sort of ὕαινα or plaice, when he says— The cantharis, hyæna, and the mullet.

From The Deipnosophists, or Banquet of the Learned of Athen?us by Athen?us

The cantharis is largely reared in Spain, but also in other countries in southern and central Europe.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 8 "Ethiopia" to "Evangelical Association" by Various