scammony

noun

scam·​mo·​ny ˈska-mə-nē How to pronounce scammony (audio)
plural scammonies
1
: a twining convolvulus (Convolvulus scammonia) of Asia Minor with a large thick root
2
a
: the dried root of scammony
b
: a cathartic resin obtained from scammony

Word History

Etymology

Middle English scamonie, from Old English & Anglo-French; Old English scammoniam, from Latin scammonia, from Greek skammōnia; Anglo-French scamonie, from Latin

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scammony was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near scammony

scammoniate

scammony

scammonyroot

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Scammony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scammony. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

scammony

noun
scam·​mo·​ny ˈskam-ə-nē How to pronounce scammony (audio)
plural scammonies
1
: a twining plant of the genus Convolvulus (C. scammonia) of Asia Minor with a large thick root
2
a
: the dried root of scammony
b
: a cathartic resin obtained from scammony

More from Merriam-Webster on scammony

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scammony

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