sabadilla

noun

sab·​a·​dil·​la ˌsa-bə-ˈdi-lə  -ˈdē-yə 

: a Mexican plant (Schoenocaulon officinale) of the lily family

also : its seeds that are used as a source of veratrine and in insecticides

Word History

Etymology

Spanish cebadilla

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sabadilla

noun

sab·​a·​dil·​la ˌsab-ə-ˈdil-ə  -ˈdē-(y)ə 

: a Mexican plant (Schoenocaulon officinalis) of the lily family (Liliaceae)

also : its seeds that are used as a source of veratrine and in insecticides and formerly in a preparation against external parasites (as head lice)