bryonia alba

3 definitions found

bryonia alba - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Bryonin \Bry"o*nin\, n. (Chem.)
     A bitter principle obtained from the root of the bryony
     (Bryonia alba and Bryonia dioica). It is a white, or
     slightly colored, substance, and is emetic and cathartic.
     [1913 Webster]

  Bryony \Bry"o*ny\ (br[imac]"[-o]*n[y^]), n. [L. bryonia, Gr.
     brywni`a, fr. bry`ein to swell, esp. of plants.] (Bot.)
     The common name of several cucurbitaceous plants of the genus
     Bryonia. The root of Bryonia alba (rough bryony or
     white bryony) and of Bryonia dioica is a strong,
     irritating cathartic.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Black bryony, a plant (Tamus communis) so named from its
        dark glossy leaves and black root; black bindweed.
        [1913 Webster]

bryonia alba - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Bryonia alba
      n 1: white-flowered vine having thick roots and bearing small
           black berries; Europe to Iran [syn: white bryony,
           devil's turnip, Bryonia alba]