Jerusalem oak

American  

noun

1. feather geranium.

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Jerusalem oak British  

noun

1. a weedy North American chenopodiaceous plant, Chenopodium botrys, that has lobed leaves and smells of turpentine

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Etymology

Origin of Jerusalem oak

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

Dey bile Jerusalem oak and give it to us.

From Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume XVI, Texas Narratives, Part 3 by United States. Work Projects Administration

Den dere was red sassafrac tea fer spring feber, an' dey made Jerusalem oak candy full o' seeds an' gib to de chilluns to eat so dey could git rid of worms.

From Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume I, Alabama Narratives by United States. Work Projects Administration

Gran'mammy was a great doctor; useta give us turpentine an' castor oil an' Jerusalem oak fer worms.

From Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume I, Alabama Narratives by United States. Work Projects Administration

But, Lordy! when us got sick, dey gib us Jerusalem oak and sassafras tea.

From Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume I, Alabama Narratives by United States. Work Projects Administration

Miss Polly made us drink tea made out of Jerusalem oak weeds.

From Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Georgia Narratives, Part 4 by Work Projects Administration