01 n. A composite plant (Artemisia Absinthium), having a bitter and slightly aromatic taste, formerly used as a tonic and a vermifuge, and to pro…
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1.
A composite plant (Artemisia Absinthium), having a bitter and slightly aromatic taste, formerly used as a tonic and a vermifuge, and to protect woolen garments from moths. It gives the peculiar flavor to the cordial called absinthe. The volatile oil is a narcotic poison. The term is often extended to other species of the same genus.(Bot.)
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2.
Anything very bitter or grievous; bitterness.“Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood.” — Deut. xxix. 18.
Phrases & compounds
Roman wormwood —
an American weed (Ambrosia artemisiaefolia); hogweed.
Tree wormwood —
a species of Artemisia (probably Artemisia variabilis) with woody stems.
Wormwood hare —
a variety of the common hare (Lepus timidus); -- so named from its color.