seneca snakeroot

noun

: a milkwort (Polygala senega) of eastern North America having racemes of small white flowers

called also rattlesnake root, senega root

compare senega

Illustration of seneca snakeroot

Illustration of seneca snakeroot

Word History

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of seneca snakeroot was in 1739

Dictionary Entries Near seneca snakeroot

Cite this Entry

“Seneca snakeroot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seneca%20snakeroot. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

seneca snakeroot

noun
sen·​e·​ca snakeroot ˈsen-i-kə- How to pronounce seneca snakeroot (audio)
: a North American plant of the genus Polygala (P. senega) whose dried root was formerly used as an expectorant
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