contrayerva

[ kon-truh-yur-vuh ]

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.

contrayerva

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrayerva¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrayerva¹

C17: from Spanish contrayerba, from contra- + yerba grass, (poisonous) plant, from Latin herba; referring to the belief that it was an antidote to poisons

Example Sentences

I then gave him a Mixture, with spiritus mindereri, and the pulvis contrayerva comp.

From Project Gutenberg

The contrayerva infusion in distilled water had acquired a disagreeable fœtor, but the beef was not yet putrid.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg