treacle mustard

noun

1. a N temperate cruciferous annual plant, Erysimum cheiranthoides , having small yellow flowers. It is a common weed in cultivated ground

Word History and Origins

Origin of treacle mustard¹

C16: so called because of its alleged medicinal properties. See _treacle

Example Sentences

“This celebrated and incredibly nasty compound,” adds Lady Verney, “traditionally composed by Nero’s physician, was made of vipers, white wine, and opium, ‘spices from both the Indies,’ liquorice, red roses, tops of germander, juice of rough aloes, seeds of treacle mustard, tops of St. John’s wort, and some twenty other herbs, to be mixed with honey ‘triple the weight of all the dry species’ into an electuary.”

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Worm′-pow′der, a vermifuge; Worm′-seed, santonica: the treacle mustard; Worm′-wheel, a wheel gearing with an endless screw or worm, receiving or imparting motion.—adj.

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