hemlock

[ hem-lok ]

noun

1. a poisonous plant, Conium maculatum, of the parsley family, having purple-spotted stems, finely divided leaves, and umbels of small white flowers, used medicinally as a powerful sedative.
2. a poisonous drink made from this plant.
3. any of various other plants, especially of the genus Cicuta, as the water hemlock.
4. Also called hemlock spruce. any of several coniferous trees of the genus Tsuga, native to the U.S., characterized by a pyramidal manner of growth. Compare eastern hemlock, western hemlock.
5. the soft, light wood of a hemlock tree, used in making paper, in the construction of buildings, etc.

hemlock

/ ˈhɛmˌlɒk /

noun

1. an umbelliferous poisonous Eurasian plant, Conium maculatum, having finely divided leaves, spotted stems, and small white flowers US namepoison hemlock See also water hemlock
2. a poisonous drug derived from this plant
3. Also calledhemlock spruce any coniferous tree of the genus Tsuga, of North America and E Asia, having short flat needles: family Pinaceae See also western hemlock
4. the wood of any of these trees, used for lumber and as a source of wood pulp

Word History and Origins

Origin of hemlock¹

before 900; Middle English hemlok, humlok, Old English hymlic, hemlic; perhaps akin to Old English hymele hop plant

Word History and Origins

Origin of hemlock¹

Old English hymlic; perhaps related to hymele hop plant, Middle Low German homele, Old Norwegian humli, Old Slavonic chǔmelï

Example Sentences

Beware of the poison hemlock, an invasive weed so toxic it can be lethal, King County officials say.

From Seattle Times

A Pacific Northwest forest planted with Douglas fir, cedar, hemlock and larch underplanted with evergreen huckleberry, salal and ferns transitions to an open woodland of native dogwood trees, red twig dogwood and flowering red currant.

From Seattle Times

Old growth forests of sugar maple, birch and hemlock towered over our tents, cushioned our trails with pine needles and scented our days.

From Seattle Times

While the pest prefers leafy hardwoods, like oaks, Salp said she’s seen them feed on conifers — the category that includes iconic Northwest species like the Douglas fir and western hemlock.

From Seattle Times

Hiking through the Wishbone area last summer, advocates noted cedar, hemlock, maple, cottonwood and alder trees, as well as huckleberries, gooseberries and devil’s club plants.

From Seattle Times