henbane

[ hen-beyn ]

noun

1. an Old World plant, Hyoscyamus niger, of the nightshade family, having sticky, hairy fetid foliage and greenish-yellow flowers, and possessing narcotic and poisonous properties especially destructive to domestic fowls.

henbane

/ ˈhɛnˌbeɪn /

noun

1. a poisonous solanaceous European plant, Hyoscyamus niger, with sticky hairy leaves and funnel-shaped greenish flowers: yields the drug hyoscyamine

Word History and Origins

Origin of henbane¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; hen, bane

Example Sentences

The clear, colorless distillate had an alkaline reaction, and an odor resembling henbane or hemlock.

From Project Gutenberg

He prepared a boiled oil of hyoscyamus, or henbane, in the usual way, with common oil.

From Project Gutenberg

Small doses of tincture of henbane have also often a like effect.

From Project Gutenberg

Here he found Henbane Dwining, on whom it was his hard fate to depend for consolation in both respects.

From Project Gutenberg

"Nay, it is only worthy Master Henbane Dwining," answered one of the sibyls.

From Project Gutenberg