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

Does a man ever forget the cantharides when he has a blister on his back?

From The Dodd Family Abroad, Vol. II by Lever, Charles James

A cantharides blister may be applied, or the following ointment used: Biniodid of mercury 1 part, lard 6 parts; mix.

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

The mucus of the bladder is seen in the urine, when cantharides have been used, either internally or externally, in such doses as to induce the strangury.

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

Most practitioners apply counterirritants, such as mustard plasters, turpentine, and ammonia liniment, or cantharides.

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

These striped cantharides are so numerous in all parts of the country that they are probably blown seaward by the wind, and naturally sail ashore on the tide.

From Harper's Young People, October 12, 1880 An Illustrated Weekly by Various