Rag·weed n. Bot. A common American composite weed (Ambrosia artemisiaefolia) with finely divided leaves; hogweed.
Great ragweed, a coarse American herb (Ambrosia trifida), with rough three-lobed opposite leaves.
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Worm·wood n.
1. Bot. A composite plant (Artemisia Absinthium), having a bitter and slightly aromatic taste, formerly used as a tonic and a vermifuge, and to protect woolen garments from moths. It gives the peculiar flavor to the cordial called absinthe. The volatile oil is a narcotic poison. The term is often extended to other species of the same genus.
2. Anything very bitter or grievous; bitterness.
Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood. --Deut. xxix. 18.
Roman wormwood Bot., an American weed (Ambrosia artemisiaefolia); hogweed.
Tree wormwood Bot., a species of Artemisia (probably Artemisia variabilis) with woody stems.
Wormwood hare Zool., a variety of the common hare (Lepus timidus); -- so named from its color.
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