staves·a·cre (st vz  k r)n. 1. A larkspur, Delphinium staphisagria, of southern Europe, with greenish-white flowers. 2. The poisonous seeds of this plant, formerly used medicinally as an emetic, a cathartic, and an external parasiticide. [By folk etymology from Middle English staphisagre, from Latin staphis agria, from Greek staphis agri : staphis, stavesacre + agri, feminine of agrios, wild; see agro- in Indo-European roots.] |
stavesacre [ˈsteɪvzˌeɪkə]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) a Eurasian ranunculaceous plant, Delphinium staphisagria, having purple flowers and poisonous seeds
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) the seeds of this plant, which have strong emetic and cathartic properties
[C14 staphisagre, from Latin staphis agria, from Greek, from staphis raisin + agria wild]
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