mescal button

noun

1. one of the dried, buttonlike tops of a mescal of the genus Lophophora, used as a hallucinogen, especially by certain Indians of Mexico and the southwestern U.S. during religious ceremonies; peyote.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mescal button¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

In the United States they are called mescal buttons, and in Mexico peyote.

From Project Gutenberg

Kennedy reached in another of Torreon's pockets and drew out a third little silver box of mescal buttons.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. A. B. Nickels reports that the Indians use the plants in manufacturing an intoxicating drink, also for "breaking fevers," and that the tops cut off and dried are called "mescal buttons."

From Project Gutenberg

He opened it, and one mescal button rolled out into the palm of his hand.

From Project Gutenberg