jequirity

American  

[juh-kwir-i-tee] / dʒəˈkwɪr ɪ ti /

noun

plural

jequirities

1. the rosary pea, Abrus precatorius, of the legume family.

2. Also called jequirity beans.  the poisonous scarlet seeds of the rosary pea, used for making necklaces and rosaries.

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jequirity British  

/ dʒɪˈkwɪrɪtɪ /

noun

1. other names for Indian liquorice

2. the seed of the Indian liquorice

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Etymology

Origin of jequirity

1880–85; < Portuguese jequirití < Tupi-Guarani jekirití

Example Sentences

The French oculist, Dr. de Wecker, was the first to employ jequirity for this purpose, in the form of a 24 hours’ maceration of the seeds, 10 grams to 500 grams of water.

From Project Gutenberg

Jequirity seeds were found to have a stronger decomposing action on lanoline and carnauba wax than the castor seed, but only caused decomposition of castor oil after the initial acidity was first neutralised with alkali.

From Project Gutenberg

They are Hindu prayer-beans, sometimes called ruttee, jequirity beans, seeds of the plant known to science as Abrus precatorius.

From Project Gutenberg

Late though it was, in the laboratory Kennedy set to work examining the dust which he had swept up by the vacuum cleaner, as well as the jequirity beans he had taken from Mrs. Anthony's jewel-case.

From Project Gutenberg

Shirley died of jequirity poisoning, or rather of the alkaloid in the bean.

From Project Gutenberg