hyoscyamus
[hahy-uh-sahy-uh-muh s]
- 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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Origin of hyoscyamus
1700–10; < New Latin < Greek hyoskýamos, equivalent to hyós (genitive of hŷs hog) + kýamos bean
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for hyoscyamus
Historical Examples
The oil of hyoscyamus is poisonous, and contains the alkaloid.
Poisons: Their Effects and DetectionAlexander Wynter Blyth
The English henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) abounds in waste places.
Western Himalaya and TibetThomas Thomson
The extract of belladonna is considerably stronger than the extract of hyoscyamus.
Insomnia; and Other Disorders of SleepHenry M. Lyman
An alkaloid obtained from common henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), and also from the thorn apple (Datura stramonium).
Thus, hyoscyamus, belladonna, ammonium bromide have been used.
hyoscyamus
- any plant of the solanaceous genus Hyoscyamus, of Europe, Asia, and N Africa, including henbane
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Word Origin
C18: from New Latin, from Greek huoskuamos, from hus pig + kuamos bean; the plant was thought to be poisonous to pigs
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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