Medical Dictionary
Main Entry:
man·drakePronunciation:
'man-"drAk Function:
noun 1 a : a Mediterranean solanaceous herb of the genus
Mandragora (
M.officinarum) that has ovate leaves, whitish or purple flowers followed by globose yellow fruits which were formerly supposed to have aphrodisiac properties, and a large forked root which has beencredited with human attributes and made the subject of many superstitions
b (1)
: the root of this plant that contains hyoscyamine and was formerly used especially to promoteconception, as a cathartic, or as a narcotic and soporific (2)
: a solution of mandrake root (as in wine) formerly used as a narcotic
2 a : any of several plants other thanthe mandrake;
especially : MAYAPPLE b : PODOPHYLLUM 2