The Collaborative International Dictionary
Wormwood \Worm"wood\, n. [AS. werm?d, akin to OHG. wermuota, wormuota, G. wermuth, wermut; of uncertain origin.]
(Bot.) A composite plant ( Artemisia Absinthium), having a bitter and slightly aromatic taste, formerly used as a tonic and a vermifuge, and to protect woolen garments from moths. It gives the peculiar flavor to the cordial called absinthe. The volatile oil is a narcotic poison. The term is often extended to other species of the same genus.
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Anything very bitter or grievous; bitterness.
Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood.
--Deut. xxix. 18.Roman wormwood (Bot.), an American weed ( Ambrosia artemisi[ae]folia); hogweed.
Tree wormwood (Bot.), a species of Artemisia (probably Artemisia variabilis) with woody stems.
Wormwood hare (Zo["o]l.), a variety of the common hare ( Lepus timidus); -- so named from its color.
Bitterweed \Bit"ter*weed`\, n. (Bot.)
A species of Ambrosia ( Ambrosia artemisi[ae]folia); Roman
worm wood.
--Gray.
Ragweed \Rag"weed`\ (r[a^]g"w[=e]d`), n. (Bot.) A common American composite weed ( Ambrosia artemisi[ae]folia) with finely divided leaves; hogweed.
Great ragweed, a coarse American herb ( Ambrosia trifida), with rough three-lobed opposite leaves.