jequirity

[ juh-kwir-i-tee ]

noun

, plural je·quir·i·ties.

1. the rosary pea, Abrus precatorius, of the legume family.
2. Also called jequirity beans. the poisonous scarlet seeds of the rosary pea, used for making necklaces and rosaries.

jequirity

/ dʒɪˈkwɪrɪtɪ /

noun

1. other names for Indian liquorice
2. the seed of the Indian liquorice

Word History and Origins

Origin of jequirity¹

1880–85; < Portuguese jequirití < Tupi-Guarani jekirití

Word History and Origins

Origin of jequirity¹

C19: from Portuguese jequirití, from Tupi-Guarani jekirití

Example Sentences

The French oculist, Dr. de Wecker, was the first to employ jequirity for this purpose, in the form of a 24 hours’ maceration of the seeds, 10 grams to 500 grams of water.

From Project Gutenberg

Jequirity seeds were found to have a stronger decomposing action on lanoline and carnauba wax than the castor seed, but only caused decomposition of castor oil after the initial acidity was first neutralised with alkali.

From Project Gutenberg

They are Hindu prayer-beans, sometimes called ruttee, jequirity beans, seeds of the plant known to science as Abrus precatorius.

From Project Gutenberg

"You remember," she cried, breathlessly, "you said that a jequirity bean was sent to Captain Shirley?"

From Project Gutenberg

The flying pieces of glass injected the poison as by a myriad of hypodermic needles— the highly poisonous toxin of abrin, product of the jequirity, which is ordinarily destroyed in the stomach but acts powerfully if injected into the blood.

From Project Gutenberg