dandelion, dentdelyon

[Fr. dent de Dane-money C. As subst.: The act of to ing in the arms or lion lion's tooth; from Lat. dentem , acc us. of dens rocking on the knee, as a child; fondling. =a tooth, and leonem , acc us. of leo =a lion.] 1. Bot . The common and well-known plant, Taraxacum Dens Leonis or of ficin ale , belonging to the natural order Composite. It yields a milky juice, which in the form of extract is used mediciKy nally as a diuretic and alterative. It contains a bitter crystalline principle called taraxacine. Its root has been used to adulterate coffee in a similar way to chicory. It has a naked, hollow stalk with a single bright yellow flower. The blanched leaves have been recommended as a winter salad, and the roots are eaten as such by the French. The seed is furnished with a fine white pappus, by means of "Or like the froward infant still'd with dandling." Shakesp.: Venus and Adonis, 562.