medicinal leech

American  

noun

1. a bloodsucking leech, Hirudo medicinalis, of Europe, introduced into the northeastern United States, usually green with brown stripes, up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) long: once used by physicians to bleed patients.

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medicinal leech British  

noun

1. a large European freshwater leech, Hirudo medicinalis, formerly used in medical bloodletting

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Etymology

Origin of medicinal leech

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

It’s the first time since 1975 a new medicinal leech species has been found in North America.

From Washington Post

The leeches were identified as Hirudo verbana, one of only two species of medicinal leech that come under regulations aimed at controlling wildlife trade.

From BBC

In Russia, a medicinal leech costs less than $1, and a typical application requires three to seven of the ravenous little creatures.

From Seattle Times

The medicinal leech, was, however, once pretty common in the lakes and pools of the north of England.

From Project Gutenberg

In size the cattle leech of Ceylon is somewhat larger than the medicinal leech of Europe; in colour it is of a uniform brown without bands, unless a rufous margin may be so considered.

From Project Gutenberg