‖ hypericum
(haɪˈpɛrɪkəm, etymologically hɪpəˈraɪkəm)
Also 5–8 -on.
[L. hyperīcum, hyperīcon, a. Gr. ὑπέρεικον (ὑπέρῑκον), f. ὑπέρ over + ἐρείκη heath. Cf. F. hypéricon.]
1. Bot. A large genus of plants (herbs or shrubs), of very wide distribution, the type of the N.O. Hypericaceæ, having pentamerous yellow flowers, stamens arranged in from 3 to 5 clusters, and leaves usually marked with pellucid dots (specially conspicuous in the common species H. perforatum); commonly known as St. John's-worts.
| 1538 Turner Libellus, Hypericon,..uulgus appellat Saynt Iohns gyrs. 1578 Lyte Dodoens i. xliii. 64 S. Johns worte is called in Greeke ὑπερικόν: in Latine and in Shoppes Hypericum, and of some Perforata. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 41 That any vertue there is in Hipericon to make good the name of fuga Demonis..it is not easie to beleeve. 1741 Compl. Fam.-Piece ii. iii. 386 Other..Shrubs..now in Flower,..Canary Hypericum,..shrubby stinking Hypericum. 1784 Cowper Task vi. 165 Hypericum all bloom, so thick a swarm Of flow'rs, like flies clothing her slender rods, that scarce a leaf appears. 1842 G. Turnbull in Proc. Berw. Nat. Club II. No. 10. 7 Wild geraniums, hypericums, and willow-herbs. |
† 2. Pharm. (in form hypericon). A drug prepared from a plant of this genus. Also oil (of) hypericon. Obs.
| 1471 Ripley Comp. Alch. Ep. in Ashm. (1652) 113 Use Hipericon Perforate with milke of Tithimall. 1543 Traheron Vigo's Chirurg. 94/1 Oyle of hypericon. 1691 J. Wilson Belphegor v. ii, I'll have ye burnt in effigy, with brimstone, galbanum, aristolochia, hypericon. |