brassica nigra

3 definitions found

brassica nigra - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Sinigrin \Sin"i*grin\, n. [From NL. Sinapis nigra.] (Chem.)
     A glucoside found in the seeds of black mustard (Brassica nigra
     , formerly Sinapis nigra) It resembles sinalbin, and
     consists of a potassium salt of myronic acid.
     [1913 Webster]

  Mustard \Mus"tard\, n. [OF. moustarde, F. moutarde, fr. L.
     mustum must, -- mustard was prepared for use by being mixed
     with must. See Must, n.]
     1. (Bot.) The name of several cruciferous plants of the genus
        Brassica (formerly Sinapis), as white mustard
        (Brassica alba), black mustard (Brassica Nigra),
        wild mustard or charlock (Brassica Sinapistrum).
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: There are also many herbs of the same family which are
           called mustard, and have more or less of the flavor of
           the true mustard; as, bowyer's mustard (Lepidium ruderale
           ); hedge mustard (Sisymbrium officinale);
           Mithridate mustard (Thlaspi arvense); tower mustard
           (Arabis perfoliata); treacle mustard (Erysimum cheiranthoides
           ).
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A powder or a paste made from the seeds of black or white
        mustard, used as a condiment and a rubefacient. Taken
        internally it is stimulant and diuretic, and in large
        doses is emetic.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Mustard oil (Chem.), a substance obtained from mustard, as
        a transparent, volatile and intensely pungent oil. The
        name is also extended to a number of analogous compounds
        produced either naturally or artificially.
        [1913 Webster]

brassica nigra - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Brassica nigra
      n 1: widespread Eurasian annual plant cultivated for its pungent
           seeds; a principal source of table mustard [syn: black mustard
           , Brassica nigra]