Artemisia variabilis
(gcide) | Wormwood \Worm"wood\, n. [AS. werm?d, akin to OHG. wermuota,
wormuota, G. wermuth, wermut; of uncertain origin.]
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1. (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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2. Anything very bitter or grievous; bitterness.
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Lest there should be among you a root that beareth
gall and wormwood. --Deut. xxix.
18.
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Roman wormwood (Bot.), an American weed ({Ambrosia
artemisiaefolia}); hogweed.
Tree wormwood (Bot.), a species of Artemisia (probably
Artemisia variabilis) with woody stems.
Wormwood hare (Zool.), a variety of the common hare ({Lepus
timidus}); -- so named from its color.
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