The Collaborative International Dictionary
Jew's-ear \Jew's"-ear`\, Jew's-ears \Jew's"-ears`\, n. (Bot.) A widely distributed species of edible fungus ( Auricularia auricula-judae, formerly Hirneola Auricula-Jud[ae], or Hirneola Auricula), bearing some resemblance to the human ear and growing on decaying wood.
Syn: ear fungus, .
Auricula \Au*ric"u*la\, n.; pl. L. Auricul[ae], E. Auriculas. [L. auricula. See Auricle.]
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(Bot.)
A species of Primula, or primrose, called also, from the shape of its leaves, bear's-ear.
(b) A species of Hirneola ( Hirneola auricula), a membranaceous fungus, called also auricula Jud[ae], or Jew's-ear.
--P. Cyc.
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(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of air-breathing mollusks mostly found near the sea, where the water is brackish.
One of the five arched processes of the shell around the jaws of a sea urchin.
Usage examples of "hirneola auricula".
It deals very learnedly with the medicinal virtues of the tree - its flowers, berries, leaves, 'middle bark,' pith, roots and 'Jew's ears,' a large fungus often to be found on the Elder (Hirneola auricula Judae), the name a corruption of 'Judas's ear,' from the tradition, referred to above, that Judas hanged himself on the Elder.
The JEW'S EAR (Hirneola auricula-Judae) has never been regarded here as an edible fungus, but in some parts of the world has that reputation.