rattlesnake root
Americannoun
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any of certain composite plants of the genus Prenanthes, whose roots or tubers have been regarded as a remedy for snake bites, as P. serpentaria or P. alba.
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the root or tuber.
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the snakeroot, Polygala senega.
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its root.
Etymology
Origin of rattlesnake root
First recorded in 1675–85
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She took a root she called the rattlesnake root.
From The Bird-Woman of the Lewis and Clark Expedition by Chandler, Katherine
They have several plants, known by the names of rattlesnake root, rattlesnake weed, and snake root.
From Lady Mary and her Nurse by Traill, Catharine Parr Strickland
On this consideration we had provided three several sorts of rattlesnake root, made up into proper doses, and ready for immediate use, in case any one of the men or their horses had been bitten….
From Choice Specimens of American Literature, and Literary Reader Being Selections from the Chief American Writers by Martin, Benj. N.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
