contrayerva

[ kon-truh-yur-vuh ]

noun

1. the root of certain tropical American plants of the genus Dorstenia, of the mulberry family, especially D. contrajerva, used as a stimulant, diaphoretic, etc.

contrayerva

/ ˌkɒntrəˈjɜːvə /

noun

1. the root of any of several tropical American moraceous plants of the genus Dorstenia, esp D. contrayerva, used as a stimulant and tonic

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrayerva¹

1650–60; < Spanish contrayerba, contrahierba < Latin contrā contra- ¹( def ) + herba herb; so called from its being thought an antidote to poison

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrayerva¹

C17: from Spanish contrayerba, from contra- + yerba grass, (poisonous) plant, from Latin herba; referring to the belief that it was an antidote to poisons

Example Sentences

Contrayerva, kon-tra-yėr′va, n. a stimulating and tonic aromatic root of tropical America.

From Project Gutenberg

D. Contrayerva and other species have a stimulant and tonic rhizome, which is used medicinally under the name of contrayerva.

From Project Gutenberg

She complained of a violent Head-ach; for which she was blooded, and took the saline Mixture, with Nitre and Contrayerva.

From Project Gutenberg

I then gave him a Mixture, with spiritus mindereri, and the pulvis contrayerva comp. of which I desired him to take some Spoonfuls frequently.

From Project Gutenberg

He was immediately blooded, had a saline Mixture with Contrayerva and Nitre, and was ordered to take a Purge in the Morning.

From Project Gutenberg