Virginia snakeroot

noun

See under snakeroot(def 1).

Origin of Virginia snakeroot

An Americanism dating back to 1685–95

Definition for virginia snakeroot (2 of 2)

snakeroot
[ sneyk-root, -roo t ]
/ ˈsneɪkˌrut, -ˌrʊt /

noun

any of various plants whose roots have been regarded as a remedy for snakebites, as the herb Aristolochia serpentaria (Virginia snakeroot), having a medicinal rhizome and rootlets, and the white-flowered Polygala senega (Seneca snakeroot), having a medicinal root.
the root or rhizome of such a plant.
the North American bugbane.
a white eupatorium, Eupatorium rugosum.
a plant, Rauwolfia serpentina (or Rauvolfia serpentina), whose roots are the source of reserpine and other drugs.

Origin of snakeroot

First recorded in 1625–35; snake + root1

British Dictionary definitions for virginia snakeroot

snakeroot
/ (ˈsneɪkˌruːt) /

noun

any of various North American plants, such as Aristolochia serpentaria (Virginia snakeroot) and Eupatorium urticaefolium (white snakeroot), the roots or rhizomes of which have been used as a remedy for snakebite
the rhizome or root of any such plant
another name for bistort (def. 1), bistort (def. 2)
Also called: snakeweed