Advertisement

Advertisement

sabadilla

[ sab-uh-dil-uh ]

noun

  1. a Mexican plant, Schoenocaulon officinale, of the lily family, having long, grasslike leaves and bitter seeds.
  2. the seeds of this plant, formerly used medicinally and as a source of veratrine.


sabadilla

/ ˌsæbəˈdɪlə /

noun

  1. a tropical American liliaceous plant, Schoenocaulon officinale
  2. the bitter brown seeds of this plant, which contain the alkaloids veratrine and veratridine and are used in insecticides
“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
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of sabadilla1

First recorded in 1805–15; from Spanish cebadilla “Indian caustic barley,” diminutive of cebada (feminine) “barley” ultimately from Latin cibātus (masculine) “fodder, nutriment,” equivalent to cibā(re) “to feed” + -tus suffix of verbal action
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of sabadilla1

C19: from Spanish cebadilla, diminutive of cebada barley, from Latin cibāre to feed, from cibus food
Discover More

Example Sentences

The sabadilla is dextro-rotary; the death camas is levo-rotary.

For instance, there is the veratrine that may be derived from the sabadilla seeds which grow in the West Indies and Mexico.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement