poison oak

poison oak

noun
either of two shrubs, Rhus toxicodendron, of the eastern U.S., or R. diversiloba, of the Pacific coast of North America, resembling poison ivy and causing severe dermatitis when touched by persons sensitive to them.
Also called poison ivy.


Origin:
1735–45, Americanism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Poison oak is always a great word to know.
So is ort. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
Collins
World English Dictionary
poison oak
 
n
1.  See also sumach either of two North American anacardiaceous shrubs, Rhus toxicodendron or R. diversiloba, that are related to the poison ivy and cause a similar rash
2.  (not in technical use) another name for poison ivy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

poison oak n.

  1. Either of two shrubs, Rhus toxicodendron of the southeast United States or R. diversiloba of western North America, related to poison ivy and causing a rash on contact.

  2. See poison ivy.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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