seneca snakeroot

2 definitions found

seneca snakeroot - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Senecas \Sen"e*cas\, n. pl.; sing. Seneca. (Ethnol.)
     A tribe of Indians who formerly inhabited a part of Western
     New York. This tribe was the most numerous and most warlike
     of the Five Nations.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Seneca grass(Bot.), holy grass. See under Holy.
  
     Seneca eil, petroleum or naphtha.
  
     Seneca root, or Seneca snakeroot (Bot.), the rootstock of
        an American species of milkworth (Polygala Senega)
        having an aromatic but bitter taste. It is often used
        medicinally as an expectorant and diuretic, and, in large
        doses, as an emetic and cathartic. [Written also Senega  root
        , and Seneka root.]
        [1913 Webster]

seneca snakeroot - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Seneca snakeroot
      n 1: eastern North American plant having a terminal cluster of
           small white flowers and medicinal roots [syn: Seneca snakeroot
           , Seneka snakeroot, senga root, senega root
           , senega snakeroot, Polygala senega]