swallowwort
(ˈswɒləʊwɜːt)
[f. swallow n.1 + wort; in sense 1 rendering early mod.G. schwalbenwurtz (cf. obs. Du. swaelemwortel) = med.L. hirundaria; in sense 2 rendering Du. zwaluwkruid = mod.L. chelīdonium, Gr. χελῑδόνιον (see celandine).]
1. The herb Vincetoxicum officinale, formerly called Asclepias (or Cynanchum) Vincetoxicum; from the form of the pods, suggesting a swallow with outspread wings. Hence extended to the genus Asclepias generally.
| 1548 Turner Names Herbes 17 Asclepias..may be called in englishe Swallowurt. 1651 French Distill. ii. 52 Take Swallow-wort. 1785 Martyn Lett. Bot. xvi. (1794) 216 Common Swallow wort, or Tame poison. 1822 Good Study Med. III. 405 One or two species of asclepias or swallow⁓wort. |
b. An umbelliferous plant, Elæoselinum (or Thapsia) Asclepium.
| 1866 Treas. Bot. |
2. The Greater Celandine, Chelidonium majus.
| 1578 Lyte Dodoens i. xx. 31 The great Celandyne is called..in English Celandyne, Swallowurte, and of some Tetter⁓wurte. 1635 Swan Spec. Mundi (1670) 220 Celandine or Swallow-wort. 1858 Irvine Hand-bk. Brit. Plants Index. |