‖ cantharides, n. pl.
(kænˈθærɪdiːz)
Also 6 canterides, 5–7 cantarides, 9 cantharids. Rarely in sing. 5 cantharide.
[L.; pl. of cantharis, a. Gr. κανθαρίς blister-fly.]
1. (sing. Cantharis in Entom.) A genus of coleopterous insects of the family Trachelidæ; the officinal species (C. vesicatoria or Spanish Fly) has golden-green elytra. Early writers appear to have applied the name to Aphides.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xvii. lxv. (1495) 642 Grene flyes brede in corne that ben callyd Ca[n]tarides. c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 865 The cantharide in roses that we se. 1567 J. Maplet Gr. Forest 112 One kind..is in colour greene: in humor or iuice verie poysonous, and is called Cantharis. 1593 Nashe Christ's T. 73 a, The greene venemous flies Cantharides. a 1625 Cope in Gutch Coll. Cur. I. 121 The Cantharides ever have, and will crop the fairest flowers. 1878 Dowden Stud. Lit. 418 The cantharides vibrating in the transparent air. |
2. The pharmacopœial name of the dried beetle
Cantharis vesicatoria or Spanish Fly. Used externally as a rubefacient and vesicant; internally as a diuretic and stimulant to the genito-urinary organs, etc. Formerly considered an aphrodisiac.
| 1541 R. Copland Guydon's Quest. Chirurg., And make no scarres, but blysters as canterides. 1579 Langham Gard. Health (1633) 531 Apply it on the bare skinne, to make blisters and holes, euen as Cantarides doth. 1611 Beaum. & Fl. Philaster iv. i, Before, she was common talk; now, none dare say, cantharides can stir her. 1831 Youatt Horse xii. (1847) 252 Some stimulating liniment..consisting of turpentine or tincture of cantharides. 1847 Emerson Poems, Mithridates Wks. (Bohn) I. 410 Give me agates for my meat; Give me cantharids to eat. |
| fig. 1598 E. Guilpin Skial. (1878) 32 They are Philosphicke true Cantharides To vanities dead flesh. 1601 B. Jonson Poetast. v. i, I, you whoreson cantharides! was it I? 1790 Burke Fr. Rev. 93 Swallowing down repeated provocatives of cantharides to our love of liberty. |