pleurisy root

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noun

a North American milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa, whose root was used as a remedy for pleurisy.

the root.

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Origin of pleurisy root

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Words nearby pleurisy root

pleur-, pleura, pleural, pleural cavity, pleurisy, pleurisy root, pleuro-, pleurocarpous, pleurocentesis, pleurodont, pleurodynia

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

How to use pleurisy root in a sentence

A Republican candidate hoping to win red state support could find a worse team to root for than one from Dallas.
Will Chris Christie Regret His Cowboy Hug?|Matt Lewis|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Last summer, I spoke with first black supermodel Beverly Johnson about this for The Root.
One Vogue Cover Doesn’t Solve Fashion’s Big Race Problem|Danielle Belton|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It has grown from a rotten root—striving to replace human judgment with detailed dictates.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The root of the word irony is in the Greek eironeia, “liar.”
Up to a Point: They Made Me Write About Lena Dunham|P. J. O’Rourke|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Speak to the friends and people you need to root out in life and let that conversation flow.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Protesting|Rawiya Kameir, Judnick Mayard|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He is what the bill wishes to make for us, a regular root doctor, and will suit the place exactly.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
But at the root of the unnatural miracles is the natural miracle—the heart of man.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
You see, I stuck to him like a log to a root, but for the first week or so 'twant no use—not a bit.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
The same two impulses are said to lie at the root of the elaborate art of personal adornment developed by savages.
Children's Ways|James Sully
This book occasioned some prelates to say that they must root out printing or printing would root out them.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell

British Dictionary definitions for pleurisy root

pleurisy root

noun

the root of the butterfly weed, formerly used as a cure for pleurisy

another name for butterfly weed

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