medicinal leech

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.

medicinal leech

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of medicinal leech¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The medicinal leech - once used across Europe for bloodletting treatments - has been found in three ponds near Carrick Shore on the Solway Coast.

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

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

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

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

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