mezereum

American  

[muh-zeer-ee-uhm] / məˈzɪər i əm /

Also mezereon

noun

1. a shrub, Daphne mezereum, native to Eurasia, having clusters of fragrant purplish flowers.

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mezereum British  

/ mɪˈzɪərɪəm /

noun

1. the dried bark of certain shrubs of the genus Daphne, esp mezereon, formerly used as a vesicant and to treat arthritis

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Etymology

Origin of mezereum

1470–80; (< New Latin ) < Medieval Latin mezereon < Arabic māzaryūn < Persian

Example Sentences

Daphne mezereum, the mezereon—in Selborne Hanger among the shrubs, at the south-east end above the cottages.

From The Natural History of Selborne, Vol. 2 by Morley, Henry

Daphne mezereum and the white variety album are among our earliest and most beautiful flowering shrubs; Autumnale is excellent, it blooms in late autumn.

From Trees and Shrubs for English Gardens by Cook, Ernest Thomas

Umbelliferone or 4-oxycoumarin, occurs in the bark of Daphne mezereum and may be obtained by distilling such resins as galbanum or asafoetida.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6 "Coucy-le-Château" to "Crocodile" by Various

Daphne mezereum, the mezereon, — in Selborne Hanger among the shrubs at the south-east end above the cottages.

From The Natural History of Selborne by White, Gilbert