snakeweed (snak wed)

1. The bistort, Polygonum Bistort a, a perennial herb of the northern parts of both hemispheres. Its root is a powerful astringent, sometimes employed See bistort.-2. The Virginia snakeroot. See snakeroot.-3. Vaguely, any of the weedy plants among which snakes are supposed to abound. snakewood (snak'wud), n. 1. In India, the bitter root and wood of Strychnos colubrina, also that of S. Nux - vomica, which is esteemed a cure for in medicine. Also adder's - wort and snake wort. snake-poison, and is also employed as a tonic remedy in dyspepsia, etc. See nux vomica, 2.-2. The leopard or letter-wood, Brosimum Aubletii: so called from the markings on the wood. See letter - wood. -3. A small West Indian tree, Colubrina ferruginosa of the Rhamna ceæ: named apparently from the twisted grain of the wood.-4. The trumpet-tree, Cecropia peltata, or sometimes the genus. - 5. Sometimes, same as serpent wood.-6. The red nosegay-tree, Plumeria rubra.