henbane

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henbane  /ˈhɛn ˌbeɪn/ ? Meaning of "henbane"

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Definition(s):

  • (n) poisonous fetid Old World herb having sticky hairy leaves and yellow-brown flowers; yields hyoscyamine and scopolamine

Synonym(s)

hyoscyamus niger, stinking nightshade

Usage(s):

  • Scopolamine is a hypnotic drug made from henbane.

Quotes

  1. Mr Worrall Thompson, when asked by the publication whether he used any wild foods in his dishes, replied: "The weed henbane is great in salads."
    on Aug 4, 2008 By: Antony Worrall Thompson Source: Times Online

  2. An early draft of John Keats's Ode on Melancholy began: "No, no, go not to Lethe, neither twist / Henbane for its poisonous root," before the poet - who worked in a pharmacy and was familiar with poisons - decided to change the word Henbane for...
    on Aug 4, 2008 By: John Keats Source: Times Online

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