toadstool, to des tool

[Eng. toad, and stool. So named because toads and frogs were supposed to sit upon them. ( Prior.) Berkeley, however, thinks the name was given because in the opinion of the old herbalists they derived their origin from toads, as puff-balls were supposed to come from wolves, and deer-balls (Elaphomyces) from deer.] Bot.: An uneatable Agaric us, Boletus, or other mushroom or eatable Agaric. THESIUM.] IMG:content-1181.png:[blocks in formation] Bot.: Probably Polyp or us giganteus. ( Britten & Holland .) toad-spit, subst. The same as CUCKOO-SPIT (q. v.). *toad-spotted, a. Tainted and polluted with venom, as the toad was popularly supposed to be. "A most toad - spotted traitor." Shakesp.: Lear , v. 3. toad-sticker, s. A contemptuous name for a sword or a knife. (U. S. Colloq.) toad-stone (1), s . A popular name for Bufonite (q. v.), from the fact that it was formerly supposed to be a natural concretion found in the head of the "The grisly to des tool , grown there mought I see, And loathing paddocks lording on the same." Spenser: Shepherd's Calendar; Dec., 69. tōad-ỹ, s. & a . [A contract. of toad - eater (q. v.).] A. As substantive : 1. A base, servile flatterer; a sycophant, a toadeater. "Boys are not all toadies in the morning of life."Thackeray: Book of Snobs, ch. v. *2. A coarse, rustic woman. ( Scotch .) *B. As adj .: Having the character of or resembling a toad. "Vice is of such a toady complexion, that she cannot choose but teach the soul to hate." -Feltham: Resolves, cent. i., 13.