stavesacre

[ steyvz-ey-ker ]

noun

a larkspur, Delphinium staphisagria, of Europe and Asia Minor, having violently emetic and cathartic poisonous seeds.
the seeds themselves.

Origin of stavesacre

1350–1400; Middle English staphisagre<Latin staphis agria<Greek staphìs agría literally, wild raisin

Words Nearby stavesacre

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

How to use stavesacre in a sentence

Lotions of the smaller centaury or of stavesacre, and pomatum mixed with mercurial ointment, are very efficacious.
The Insect World | Louis Figuier
An alkaloid discovered by Lassaigne and Feneulle in Delphinium staphysagria or stavesacre.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I | Arnold Cooley
The vegeto-alkaline principle of the Delphinium staphysagria, or stavesacre.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines | Andrew Ure
Delphinium, del-fin′i-um, n. a genus of Ranunculace comprising the larkspurs and stavesacre.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) | Various
Digest stavesacre seeds in twice their weight of rectified spirit.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II | Arnold Cooley

British Dictionary definitions for stavesacre

stavesacre

/ (ˈsteɪvzˌeɪkə) /

noun

a Eurasian ranunculaceous plant, Delphinium staphisagria, having purple flowers and poisonous seeds
the seeds of this plant, which have strong emetic and cathartic properties

Origin of stavesacre

C14 staphisagre, from Latin staphis agria, from Greek, from staphis raisin + agria wild

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

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