sabadilla

[ sab-uh-dil-uh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a Mexican plant, Schoenocaulon officinale, of the lily family, having long, grasslike leaves and bitter seeds.
the seeds of this plant, formerly used medicinally and as a source of veratrine.

sabadilla

/ ˌsæbəˈdɪlə /

noun

a tropical American liliaceous plant, Schoenocaulon officinale
the bitter brown seeds of this plant, which contain the alkaloids veratrine and veratridine and are used in insecticides

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Word History and Origins

Origin of sabadilla¹

First recorded in 1805–15; from Spanish cebadilla “Indian caustic barley,” diminutive of cebada (feminine) “barley” ultimately from Latin cibātus (masculine) “fodder, nutriment,” equivalent to cibā(re) “to feed” + -tus suffix of verbal action

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Word History and Origins

Origin of sabadilla¹

C19: from Spanish cebadilla, diminutive of cebada barley, from Latin cibāre to feed, from cibus food

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Example Sentences

Alcoholic extract of sabadilla; Extractum sabadill, L. Prep.

From Project Gutenberg

Sabadell Sabaean

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