mandrake

noun

man·​drake ˈman-ˌdrāk 

1

a

: a Mediterranean herb (Mandragora officinarum) of the nightshade family with large ovate leaves, greenish-yellow or purple flowers, and a large usually forked root resembling a human in form and formerly credited with magical properties

b

: the root of a mandrake formerly used especially to promote conception, as a cathartic, or as a narcotic and soporific

2

: mayapple

Illustration of mandrake

• mandrake 1

Examples of mandrake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Advocate Children's Hospital shared some of the special costumes on Facebook Wednesday, with costumes including a giraffe, a mandrake from Harry Potter, twin crayons, ketchup and mustard and so many more cute creations, all made by the families of the patients in the spirit of the holiday. —Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 20 Oct. 2022

In 1544, the Italian botanist and physician Pietro Mattioli was the first to formally classify the plant, likening it to a cross between mandrake and deadly nightshade—both poisonous. —Francesco Lastrucci, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Feb. 2021

Create mandrakes to take home and don't forget your earmuffs. —Julie A. Short/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, 26 Feb. 2018

In the herbology section, there are ancient manuscripts on mandrakes, plants with roots that look humanlike. —Karla Adam, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably alteration of mandragora

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

mandrake

noun

man·​drake ˈman-ˌdrāk 

1

: a Mediterranean herb of the nightshade family that has a large forked root resembling a human being in form and was once thought to have magical properties

also : the root itself

2

: mayapple

Medical Definition

mandrake

noun

man·​drake ˈman-ˌdrāk 

1

a

: a Mediterranean solanaceous herb of the genus Mandragora (M. officinarum) that has greenish yellow or purple flowers, globose yellow fruits formerly supposed to have aphrodisiac properties, and a large usually forked root resembling a human in form and formerly credited with magical properties

b(1)

: the root of this plant that contains hyoscyamine and was formerly used especially to promote conception, as a cathartic, or as a narcotic and soporific

(2)

: a solution of mandrake root (as in wine) formerly used as a narcotic

2

a

: mayapple

b

: podophyllum sense 2