wormseed

American  

[wurm-seed] / ˈwɜrmˌsid /

noun

1. the dried, unexpanded flower heads of a wormwood, Artemisia cina Levant wormseed, or the fruit of certain goosefoots, especially Chenopodium anthelminticum (orC. ambrosioides ), the Mexican tea or American wormseed, used as an anthelmintic drug.

2. any of these plants.

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wormseed British  

/ ˈwɜːmˌsiːd /

noun

1. any of various plants having seeds or other parts used in medicine to treat worm infestation, esp an American chenopodiaceous plant, Chenopodium anthelminticum (or C. ambrosioides ) ( American wormseed ), and the santonica plant

2. the part of any of these plants that is used as an anthelmintic

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Etymology

Origin of wormseed

First recorded in 1350–1400, wormseed is from the Middle English word wyrmsed. See worm, seed

Example Sentences

I’m tempted to say the same for the crispy quesadillas, these half-moons that practically ooze grease, except I love the cool, minty effect of the dish’s wormseed leaves.

From Washington Post

The following are good examples:— Oil of wormseed, 1 tea-spoonful.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George

Make a strong decoction of sage, two parts; wormseed, one part; strain, and add sugar enough to make into candy, and let the child eat of it.

From The Ladies Book of Useful Information Compiled from many sources by Anonymous

Halifax what directions and wormseed she can collect. 1st Jany 1772.

From Diary of Anna Green Winslow A Boston School Girl of 1771 by Winslow, Anna Green

Take wormseed, half a drachm, flour of sulphur, a drachm; mix and make a powder.

From The Works of Aristotle the Famous Philosopher Containing his Complete Masterpiece and Family Physician; his Experienced Midwife, his Book of Problems and his Remarks on Physiognomy by Aristotle