scammony

scam·mo·ny

 (skăm′ə-nē)

n. pl. scam·mo·nies

1.

a. An eastern Mediterranean plant (Convolvulus scammonia) having large roots that yield a resin formerly used as a cathartic.

b. A Mexican plant (Ipomoea orizabensis) yielding a similar resin.

2. A cathartic preparation obtained from these resins.

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[Middle English scamonie, from Old English scammōniam and from Old French scamonie, both from Latin scammōnea, from Greek skammōniā.]

scammony

(ˈskæmənɪ)

n, pl -nies

1. (Plants) a twining Asian convolvulus plant, Convolvulus scammonia, having arrow-shaped leaves, white or purple flowers, and tuberous roots

2. (Plants) a resinous juice obtained from the roots of this plant and having purgative properties

3. (Plants) any of various similar medicinal resins or the plants that yield them

[Old English, via Latin from Greek skammōnia, of obscure origin]

scammoniate adj

scam•mo•ny

(ˈskæm ə ni)

n., pl. -nies.

1. a twining Asian convolvulus, Convolvulus scammonia.

2. any of various plants having roots yielding a medicinal resin, esp. Ipomoea orizabensis.

3. the resin from any such roots.

[before 1000; Middle English scamonie, Old English < Latin scamōnia < Greek skamōnía]

scam•mo•ni•ate (skæˈmoʊ ni ɪt) adj.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	scammony - tropical American morning glory   Ipomoea orizabensis morning glory - any of various twining vines having funnel-shaped flowers that close late in the day
	2.	scammony - resin from the root of Convolvulus scammonia natural resin - a plant exudate
	3.	scammony - twining plant of Asia Minor having cream-colored to purple flowers and long thick roots yielding a cathartic resin Convolvulus scammonia convolvulus - any of numerous plants of the genus Convolvulus