birthroot

[ burth-root, -roo t ]
/ ˈbɜrθˌrut, -ˌrʊt /

noun

Also called birthwort, purple trillium. a trillium, Trillium erectum, the roots of which were formerly used in medicine as an astringent.
any of certain other species of trillium.

Origin of birthroot

First recorded in 1815–25; birth + root1

Words nearby birthroot

birthnight, birthplace, birthrate, birthright, birthright citizenship, birthroot, birthstone, birthstool, birthweight, birthwort, birthwort family

Example sentences from the Web for birthroot

  • The very short rootstock and strong terminal bud of a Trillium or Birthroot.

    The Elements of Botany |Asa Gray

British Dictionary definitions for birthroot

birthroot
/ (ˈbɜːθˌruːt) /

noun

any of several North American plants of the genus Trillium, esp T. erectum, whose tuber-like roots were formerly used by the Native Americans as an aid in childbirth: family Trilliaceae