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rattlesnake root

American  

noun

  1. 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.

  2. the root or tuber.

  3. the snakeroot, Polygala senega.

  4. 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.

See Examples For:

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.

She took a root she called the rattlesnake root.

From The Bird-Woman of the Lewis and Clark Expedition by Chandler, Katherine

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