wormwood

wormwood
wormwood c.1400, folk etymology of O.E. wermod "wormwood," related to VERMOUTH (Cf. vermouth), but the ultimate etymology is unknown. Cf. O.S. wermoda, Du. wermoet, O.H.G. werimuota, Ger. Wermut. Weekley suggests wer "man" + mod "courage," from its early use as an aphrodisiac. Figurative use, however, is usually in reference to its bitter aftertaste. Perhaps because of the folk etymology, it formerly was used to protect clothes and bedding from moths and fleas. "A medecyne for an hawke that hath mites. Take the Iuce of wormewode and put it ther thay be and thei shall dye." ["Book of St. Albans," 1486]

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Wormwood — may refer to:In comics: *Miss Wormwood, a minor character in Calvin and Hobbes * , a comic book series by Ben Templesmith * Chronicles of Wormwood , a comic book miniseries by Garth Ennis from Avatar PressIn literature: *Wormwood (star), in the… …   Wikipedia

  • WORMWOOD — WORMWOOD, according to most commentators to be identified with the scriptural לַעֲנָה (la anah). It indicates evil (Deut. 29:17; Amos 5:7; et al.) as does the drinking of the liquid extracted from it (Lam. 3:15; et al.). In Arabic it is called… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Wormwood — Álbum de Marduk Publicación 21 de Septiembre (Europa) 13 de Octubre (Estados Unidos) 2009 Grabación 2009 en los estudios Endarker Género(s) Black metal …   Wikipedia Español

  • Wormwood — Worm wood, n. [AS. werm?d, akin to OHG. wermuota, wormuota, G. wermuth, wermut; of uncertain origin.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Bot.) A composite plant ({Artemisia Absinthium}), having a bitter and slightly aromatic taste, formerly used as a tonic and a …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Wormwood — • Wormwood, known for its repulsive bitterness Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006 …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • wormwood — [wʉrm′wood΄] n. [ME wormwode, altered by folk etym. (infl. by worm,WORM + wode,WOOD1: from use as a vermifuge) < wermode < OE wermod, akin to Ger wermut (> Fr vermout, vermouth)] 1. any of a number of strong smelling plants (genus… …   English World dictionary

  • wormwood — ► NOUN 1) a woody shrub with a bitter aromatic taste, used as an ingredient of vermouth and absinthe and in medicine. 2) bitterness or grief, or a source of this. ORIGIN Old English …   English terms dictionary

  • Wormwood — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Wormwood peut faire référence à : Wormwood, un comics de Ben Templesmith Wormwood, un album du groupe Marduk Wormwood, un titre de l album World of… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Wormwood — The essence of absinthe, an emerald green liqueur flavored with extracts of the wormwood plant, licorice and aromatic flavorings in a alcohol base. Absinthe was manufactured, commercialized and popularized in France in the late 1700s by Henri… …   Medical dictionary

  • wormwood — kartusis kietis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Astrinių šeimos prieskoninis, vaistinis nuodingas augalas (Artemisia absinthium), paplitęs Europoje ir Azijoje. Naudojamas maisto priedams (kvėpikliams) gaminti. atitikmenys: lot. Artemisia… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”