Saint-John's-wort

Saint-John's-wort
Saint-John's-wort -'jänz-.wərt, -.wȯ(ə)rt n
1) any of a genus (Hypericum of the family Guttiferae, the Saint-John's-wort family) of herbs and shrubs with showy yellow flowers esp one (H. perforatum) of dry soil, roadsides, pastures, and ranges that contains a photodynamic pigment causing dermatitis due to photosensitization in sheep, cattle, horses, and goats when ingested see HYPERICISM
2) usu Saint John's wort the dried aerial parts of a Saint-John's-wort (Hypericum perforatum) that are held to relieve depression and are used in herbal remedies and dietary supplements
John the Bap·tist -'bap-təst Saint (fl 1st century AD)
Jewish prophet. John lived approximately at the same time as Jesus Christ. He is considered by Christians the last of the Jewish prophets and the forerunner of Christ. John preached the imminence of God's Final Judgment and the Messiah. He baptized his followers as a token of repentance, and Jesus himself received his rite of baptism. He was executed by Herod Antipas for publicly opposing the latter's marriage to Herodias. Saint-John's-wort derives its name from the fact that it was traditionally gathered on the eve of his feast day (June 24) and used to ward off evil spirits and as a medicinal herb.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Saint John's-wort — Saint Saint (s[=a]nt), n. [F., fr. L. sanctus sacred, properly p. p. of sancire to render sacred by a religious act, to appoint as sacred; akin to sacer sacred. Cf. {Sacred}, {Sanctity}, {Sanctum}, {Sanctus}.] 1. A person sanctified; a holy or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Saint-John's-wort — [sānt jänz′wʉrt] n. 〚after Saint JOHN1 + WORT2: reason for name uncert.〛 any of a genus (Hypericum) of ornamental plants of the Saint John s wort family, with usually yellow flowers and numerous stamens adj …   Universalium

  • Saint-John's-wort — [sānt jänz′wʉrt] n. [after Saint JOHN1 + WORT2: reason for name uncert.] any of a genus (Hypericum) of ornamental plants of the Saint John s wort family, with usually yellow flowers and numerous stamens adj. designating a family (Guttiferae,… …   English World dictionary

  • Saint-John's-wort — noun Etymology: Saint John the Baptist Date: 15th century 1. any of a large genus (Hypericum of the family Guttiferae, the Saint John s wort family) of cosmopolitan herbs and shrubs with showy pentamerous yellow flowers 2. the dried aerial parts… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • saint-john's-wort — (|) ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ noun Usage: usually capitalized S&J Etymology: after St. John the Baptist: from its being gathered on St. John s eve to be used to ward off evil spirits and as a medicinal herb : a plant of the genus Hypericum see hypericism,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • saint john's wort — noun Usage: usually capitalized S&J : the dried aerial parts of a Saint John s wort (Hypericum perforatum) that are held to relieve depression and are used in herbal remedies and dietary supplements …   Useful english dictionary

  • Saint James's-wort — Saint Saint (s[=a]nt), n. [F., fr. L. sanctus sacred, properly p. p. of sancire to render sacred by a religious act, to appoint as sacred; akin to sacer sacred. Cf. {Sacred}, {Sanctity}, {Sanctum}, {Sanctus}.] 1. A person sanctified; a holy or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Saint Peter's-wort — Saint Saint (s[=a]nt), n. [F., fr. L. sanctus sacred, properly p. p. of sancire to render sacred by a religious act, to appoint as sacred; akin to sacer sacred. Cf. {Sacred}, {Sanctity}, {Sanctum}, {Sanctus}.] 1. A person sanctified; a holy or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • saint-peter's-wort — (|) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ noun Usage: usually capitalized S&P 1. a. : a plant of the genus Ascyrum (as A. stans of the southeastern United States) b. [so called from its blooming near the time of St. Peter s feast day (June 29)] : a Euro …   Useful english dictionary

  • Saint John's wort — n. plant having five petaled yellow flowers …   English contemporary dictionary

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