hellebore etymology

Etymology:

  • The genus name "Helleborus" is derived from the Greek words "helein" (to injure) and "bora" (food), referring to the plant's poisonous nature.

Meaning:

  • Hellebore is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the family Ranunculaceae.
  • The name "Helleborus" carries the following meanings:
    • Poisonous plant (due to the presence of cardiac glycosides)
    • Food for wild boars (as they are believed to be immune to its toxicity)

Origin:

  • Hellebores are native to Europe and Asia.
  • They have been cultivated in gardens for centuries, with evidence of their use dating back to ancient Greece and Rome.
  • In traditional medicine, hellebores were used to treat various ailments, including madness, insomnia, and gout. Today, the medicinal use of hellebores is limited due to their toxicity.

hellebore relate terms

  • eland

    Etymology From Afrikaans where it is the name for the greater kudu Tragelaphus streps

  • carnivorous

    Etymology The word carnivorous comes from the Latin words carnis flesh and vorare

  • devour

    Etymology Old French devourer Latin dēvorāre PIE gʷer to swallow devour Me

  • gorge

    Etymology Old French gorge Latin gurges throat whirlpool Proto Indo European

  • gurges

    Etymology Latin gurges meaning whirlpool or abyss Meaning A whirlpool vor

  • hellebore

    Etymology The genus name Helleborus is derived from the Greek words helein to inju

  • herbivore

    Etymology The word herbivore is derived from the Latin words herba meaning grass

  • herbivorous

    Etymology Herbivorous is derived from the Latin words herba herb and vorare to dev

  • insectivore

    Etymology Insectus Latin insect vore Latin eater Meaning An insectivore

  • locavore

    Etymology The word locavore is a portmanteau of the Latin word locus meaning place

  • omnivorous

    Etymology Omnivorous is a compound word derived from Latin Omni prefix meaning all

  • voracious

    Etymology Voracious comes from the Latin word vorāx meaning devouring or greed

  • voracity

    Etymology Latin voracem nominative singular vorācem accusative singular Proto In

  • false

    False Etymology False etymology also known as folk etymology refers to a mistaken belie

  • identity

    Etymology Identity derives from the Latin word identitas which in turn comes from the

  • magpie

    Etymology The word magpie comes from the Middle English word magpye which is thoug

  • social

    Meaning and Origin of Social Etymology Social etymology refers to the process by which wo

  • carcass

    Etymology The word carcass comes from the Old French word carcasse which is derived

  • quit

    Etymology The word quit comes from the Old French word quiter which means to give

  • corporation

    Etymology and Meaning of Corporation The term corporation originates from the Latin w

  • gazette

    Etymology and Origin The word gazette is derived from the Italian word gazzetta whi

  • teetotal

    Etymology The word teetotal is a compound of two words Tea From the Chinese word