helleborine

[Eng. hellebor(e); -ine.] 1. Bot. The orchidaceous genus Epipactis. 2. Chem.: An azotised body obtained from the root of Helleborus hiemal is by exhausting it with alcohol, diluting the extract with water, which precipitates a resin, and concentrating the filtered liquid. Helleborine forms colorle crystals, with a harsh bitter taste, soluble in water and alcohol, more so in ether. *hěl-le-bor-işe, v. t. [Eng. hellebor(e); -ise.] To treat or dose with hellebore, as for madne . *hěl-le-bor-işm, s. [Eng. hellebor(e); -ism.] A medical preparation of hellebore. "In vain should the physic an attempt, with all his medicines and helleborisms, the cure of those that are sick with love."-Ferrand: Love Melancholy (1640), p. 169. hul-leb-or-ŭs, s . [HELLEBORE.] Bot .: The typical genus of the ranunculaceous tribe Helleboree (q. v.). Sepals five, large, petaloid, or imbricate, persistent; petals small, tubular, two-lipped; stamens numerous; follicles few or many, debiscing 'above; seeds numerous. The roots and leaves of several species are drastic purgatives. The Hellebore of the ancients has by some been deemed H. niger; it is now consid ered to have been H. officinal is .