zanthoxylum

noun

zan·​thox·​y·​lum

1

a

capitalized : a genus of widely distributed shrubs or trees (family Rutaceae) having odd-pinnate leaves, small greenish flowers with 2 to 5 pistils, and 2-valved fleshy capsules

b

plural -s : any plant of the genus Zanthoxylum

2

or less commonly xanthoxylum plural -s : the dried bark of prickly ash or hercules'-club formerly used as a diaphoretic and stimulant

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, irregular from xanth- + -xylum

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