Mandrake

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: man=drake

CIDE DICTIONARY

Mandrake, n. [AS. mandragora, L. mandragoras, fr. Gr. mandrago`ras: cf. F. mandragore.].

•  A low plant (Mandragora officinarum) of the Nightshade family, having a fleshy root, often forked, and supposed to resemble a man. It was therefore supposed to have animal life, and to cry out when pulled up. All parts of the plant are strongly narcotic. It is found in the Mediterranean region.  [1913 Webster]

  " The mandrake of Scripture was perhaps the same plant, but proof is wanting."  [1913 Webster]

  "And shrieks like mandrakes, torn out of the earth,
  That living mortals, hearing them, run mad."  [1913 Webster]
•  The May apple (Podophyllum peltatum). See May apple under May, and Podophyllum.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Mandrake, n. a poisonous plant, Mandragora officinarum, with white or purple flowers and large yellow fruit, having emetic and narcotic properties and possessing a root once thought to resemble the human form and to shriek when plucked.

Etymology

ME mandrag(g)e, prob. f. MDu. mandrag(r)e f. med.L (as MANDRAGORA): assoc. with MAN + drake dragon (cf. DRAKE(1))