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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hyoscyamus

Hyoscyamine and Hyoscine.—These are extracts, from the leaves and seeds, of the plant hyoscyamus.

From How to Care for the Insane A Manual for Nurses by William D. Granger

As the potato belongs to the botanical family containing the dangerous belladonna, tobacco, hyoscyamus, and stramonium, it is not surprising that is should also contain a powerful poisonous alkaloid, namely, solanine.

From The Home Medical Library, Volume I (of VI) by Kenelm Winslow

Pliny informs us that, in his days, the root of the Halicacabum, supposed to be a species of hyoscyamus, was chewed by soothsayers.

From Curiosities of Medical Experience by J. G. (John Gideon) Millingen

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

From Insectivorous Plants by Charles Darwin

The following are the ordinary stomach-pills, and do very well for the generality of cases:— Extract of hyoscyamus Sixteen grains.

From The Dog by Dinks

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