[syn: Roman wormwood, rock harlequin, Corydalis sempervirens, Fumaria sempervirens]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Wormwood \Worm"wood\, n. [AS. werm?d, akin to OHG. wermuota,
wormuota, G. wermuth, wermut; of uncertain origin.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Bot.) 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.
[1913 Webster]
2. Anything very bitter or grievous; bitterness.
[1913 Webster]
Lest there should be among you a root that beareth
gall and wormwood. --Deut. xxix.
18.
[1913 Webster]
Roman wormwood (Bot.), an American weed (Ambrosia
artemisiaefolia); hogweed.
Tree wormwood (Bot.), a species of Artemisia (probably
Artemisia variabilis) with woody stems.
Wormwood hare (Zool.), a variety of the common hare (Lepus
timidus); -- so named from its color.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
Roman wormwood
n 1: European wormwood; minor source of absinthe [syn: Roman
wormwood, Artemis pontica]
2: glaucous herb of northeastern United States and Canada having
loose racemes of yellow-tipped pink flowers; sometimes placed
in genus Fumaria [syn: Roman wormwood, rock harlequin,
Corydalis sempervirens, Fumaria sempervirens]