boneset

[ bohn-set ]

noun

1. any composite plant of the genus Eupatorium, especially E. perfoliatum, of North America, having white flowers in a flat-topped cluster.

boneset

/ ˈbəʊnˌsɛt /

noun

1. any of various North American plants of the genus Eupatorium , esp E. perfoliatum , which has flat clusters of small white flowers: family Asteraceae (composites) Also calledagueweedfeverwortthoroughwort

Word History and Origins

Origin of boneset¹

1810–20, Americanism; bone ( def ) + set (v.), so named (by hyperbole) because supposed to have healing properties

Example Sentences

“Broken, by God’s whiskers. Broken,” she moaned, feeling her ankle, and she set about telling Beetle how to pack the boneset herbs and wrap the rags about the limb.

From Literature

Next winter I'll "need" some boneset tea— I wish she wouldn't think always of me!

From Project Gutenberg

Our grandmothers made boneset tea from its leaves when we were in danger of colds or malaria.

From Project Gutenberg

No clouds was in the sky, and the air was bammy with the warm sunshine and the wet smell of the earth and the locus blossoms and the flowrs and pennyroil and boneset.

From Project Gutenberg

Therefore three times a day Carolyn May was dosed with boneset tea.

From Project Gutenberg