astragalus

Noun
Synonyms: Astragalusgenus Astragalusankleboneastragaltalus

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. large genus of annual or perennial herbs or shrubs of north temperate regions; largest genus in the family LeguminosaeSynonyms: Astragalusgenus Astragalus
  2. the bone in the ankle that articulates with the leg bones to form the ankle jointSynonyms: ankleboneastragaltalus
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Astragalus \As*trag"a*lus\, n. [L. See Astragal.]

1.(Anat.) The ankle bone, or hock bone; the bone of the tarsus which articulates with the tibia at the ankle. [1913 Webster]

2.(Bot.) A genus of papilionaceous plants, of the tribe Galege[ae], containing numerous species, two of which are called, in English, milk vetch and licorice vetch. Gum tragacanth is obtained from different oriental species, particularly the Astragalus gummifer and Astragalus verus. [1913 Webster]

3.(Arch.) See Astragal, 1. [1913 Webster]

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