mandrake

[ man-dreyk, -drik ]

noun

1. a narcotic, short-stemmed European plant, Mandragora officinarum, of the nightshade family, having a fleshy, often forked root somewhat resembling a human form.
2. the May apple.

mandrake

/ ˈmændreɪk; mænˈdræɡərə /

noun

1. a Eurasian solanaceous plant, Mandragora officinarum, with purplish flowers and a forked root. It was formerly thought to have magic powers and a narcotic was prepared from its root
2. See May apple
   another name for the May apple

Word History and Origins

Origin of mandrake¹

1275–1325; Middle English, variant of mandrage (short for mandragora ), taken by folk etymology as man + drake ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of mandrake¹

C14: probably via Middle Dutch from Latin mandragoras (whence Old English mandragora ), from Greek. The form mandrake was probably adopted through folk etymology, because of the allegedly human appearance of the root and because drake (dragon) suggested magical powers

Example Sentences

“As things stand, Catherine and her family do not feel confident about her going to Norfolk,” one of her friends tells Mandrake.

From The Daily Beast

The tree, the spring, and the mandrake caused the inhabitants of Domremy to be suspected of holding converse with evil spirits.

From Project Gutenberg

The good Brother likewise caused to be burnt the mandrake roots which many folk kept in their houses.

From Project Gutenberg

Witches made much of them; and those who believed that the Maid was a witch accused her of carrying a mandrake on her person.

From Project Gutenberg

This was doubtless known to Shakespeare, as in the passage cited he compares the mandrake with the poppy.

From Project Gutenberg

The mandrake Atropa officinalis belongs to the Solanaceæ, and, like others of the family, has narcotic properties.

From Project Gutenberg