ˈpoison-tree
1. Name for various trees with poisonous properties.
† a. Some West Indian tree (? of the family Euphorbiaceæ). Obs. b. The poison-sumac, Rhus venenata, and other poisonous species of Rhus. c. The upas-tree, Antiaris toxicaria. d. Acacia varians of Australia. e. Croton Verreauxii of Queensland.
| 1693 Phil. Trans. XVII. 622 There is an Arborescent sort with a very large Leaf, no less venomous than the Mancinello,..by those of Barbados called the Poyson-tree. 1721 Sherard ibid. XXXI. 147 The Poyson-Tree grows to the bigness of Elder. 1811 J. J. Stockdale (title) Civil and Military Sketches of the Island of Java,..comprising..authentic particulars of the Celebrated Poison-Tree. 1857 Henfrey Elem. Bot. §459 Acacia varians, of Australia, has been called the Poison-tree. 1884 Miller Plant-n., Poison-tree,..Queensland, Croton Verreauxii. 1893 Spon Mechanic's Own Bk. (ed. 4) 163 Excoecaria Agallocha (Poison Tree)..wood is hard, and fine-grained. |
2. gen. Any tree of poisonous or deleterious nature. Also fig. (Cf. upas-tree.)
| a 1835 Mrs. Hemans in H. F. Chorley Mem. (1837) I. 273 From such agonizing strife the mind will often seek refuge—though it be the shelter of a poison-tree. 1849 tr. Fouqué's Sir Elidoc 70, I feel myself like a poison-tree in the dukedom. |