hyoscyamus

American  

[hahy-uh-sahy-uh-muhs] / ˌhaɪ əˈsaɪ ə məs /

noun

1. the dried leaves, with or without the tops, of the henbane, Hyoscyamus niger, containing the alkaloids hyoscyamine and scopolamine, used in medicine.

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hyoscyamus British  

/ ˌhaɪəˈsaɪəməs /

noun

1. any plant of the solanaceous genus Hyoscyamus, of Europe, Asia, and N Africa, including henbane

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Etymology

Origin of hyoscyamus

1700–10; < New Latin < Greek hyoskýamos, equivalent to hyós (genitive of hŷs hog) + kýamos bean

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hyoscyamus

This is by far the best preparation, the hyoscyamus being added to prevent the pain and griping which is attendant on the use of colocynth alone.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" by Various

I also procured some extract of hyoscyamus from three shops, and made infusions of the same strength as before.

From Insectivorous Plants by Darwin, Charles

In fact it is closely allied to hyoscyamus, whose active principle, hyoscin, is used in modern medicine precisely for such purposes.

From The Evolution of the Dragon by Smith, G. Elliot

Anodynes, belladonna, hyoscyamus, and opium act as antipyretics simply by quieting the nervous system.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.

Make into sixty pills with extract of hyoscyamus.

From The Ladies Book of Useful Information Compiled from many sources by Anonymous