contrayerva

American  

[kon-truh-yur-vuh] / ˌkɒn trəˈyɜr və /

noun

1. the root of certain tropical American plants of the genus Dorstenia, of the mulberry family, especially D. contrajerva, used as a stimulant, diaphoretic, etc.

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contrayerva British  

/ ˌkɒntrəˈjɜːvə /

noun

1. the root of any of several tropical American moraceous plants of the genus Dorstenia, esp D. contrayerva, used as a stimulant and tonic

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Etymology

Origin of contrayerva

1650–60; < Spanish contrayerba, contrahierba < Latin contrā contra- ¹ ( def. ) + herba herb; so called from its being thought an antidote to poison

Example Sentences

Contrayerva, kon-tra-yėr′va, n. a stimulating and tonic aromatic root of tropical America.

From Project Gutenberg

D. Contrayerva and other species have a stimulant and tonic rhizome, which is used medicinally under the name of contrayerva.

From Project Gutenberg

After Evacuations, if the Pulse kept up, we commonly gave nothing but the saline Draughts, with the Pulvis contrayervæ, or some temperate Medicine, for the first Day or two.

From Project Gutenberg

She complained of a violent Head-ach; for which she was blooded, and took the saline Mixture, with Nitre and Contrayerva.

From Project Gutenberg

After emptying the Bowels, we gave the cooling, and mild Diaphoretics, such as the saline and mindereri Draughts, joined occasionally with Nitre, or the Contrayerva Powders; while we made the Patient drink plentifully of warm diluting Liquors; which we found to answer in general better than any other Remedies: They brought the Remissions to be more evident, and the Paroxysms to be milder, at the same Time that they kept up a free Perspiration, as a Means to carry off the Distemper.

From Project Gutenberg