hyoscyamus

[ hahy-uh-sahy-uh-muhs ]

/ ˌhaɪ əˈsaɪ ə məs /

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noun

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

Words nearby hyoscyamus

hymnology, hyoid, hyolithid, hyoscine, hyoscyamine, hyoscyamus, hyp, hypabyssal, hypaesthesia, hypaethral, hypalgesia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hyoscyamus in a sentence

He prepared a boiled oil of hyoscyamus, or henbane, in the usual way, with common oil.
The Book of Curiosities|I. Platts
Children tolerate hyoscyamus in doses proportionally larger than can be taken by adults.
Insomnia; and Other Disorders of Sleep|Henry M. Lyman
In the various forms of insanity the tranquilizing influence of hyoscyamus is highly esteemed.
Insomnia; and Other Disorders of Sleep|Henry M. Lyman
With it should be associated other remedies, like hyoscyamus and chloral hydrate, in order to procure sleep.
Insomnia; and Other Disorders of Sleep|Henry M. Lyman

Hyoscyamus, belladonna, and cannabis indica are useful when the pupils are contracted and when spasmodic symptoms are present.
Insomnia; and Other Disorders of Sleep|Henry M. Lyman

British Dictionary definitions for hyoscyamus

hyoscyamus

/ (ˌhaɪəˈsaɪəməs) /

noun

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

Word Origin for hyoscyamus

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012