Adjacent Words

Hermodactyl definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

HERMODAC'TYL, n. [Gr. Mercury, and a finger; Mercury's finger.]
In the Materia Medic, a root brought from Turkey. It is in the shape of a heart flatted, of a white color, compact, but easy to be cut or pulverized, of a viscous sweetish taste, with a slight degree of acrimony. Some suppose it to be the root of the
Colchicum variegatum; others,the root of the Iris tuberosa. It was anciently in great repute as a cathartic; but that which is now furnished has little or no cathartic quality.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Hermodactyl Her`mo*dac"tyl, n. [NL. hermodactylus, lit., Hermes' finger; fr. Gr. ? Hermes + ? finger.] (med.) A heart-shaped bulbous root, about the size of a finger, brought from Turkey, formerly used as a cathartic.