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Definition of mandragora

mandragora

/ˌmænˈdræɡ.ər.ə/
man · drag · o · ra
Plural:mandragoras
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mandragora Lexical Profile

mandragora Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any Old World herbaceous perennial plant of the genus Mandragora in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), native to the Mediterranean region and Asia, having a thick, forked root resembling a human figure and a basal rosette of leaves surrounding bell-shaped whitish, purplish, or greenish flowers.

Example

"In medieval herbalism, the forked root of the mandragora was prized for its supposed magical properties."

2

A narcotic potion or medicinal preparation made from the root of the mandrake plant, historically used as a sedative, soporific, or anesthetic.

Example

"In Shakespeare's tragedy, Iago remarks that neither poppy nor mandragora shall ever medicine Othello to sweet sleep again."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for mandragora

• Rhymes for mandragora

• Nearby Words

mandoline
mandolinist
mandovi
mandragora
mandrake
mandrill
mane

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed via Medieval Latin from Ancient Greek mandragoras, a word of uncertain Near Eastern origin (possibly from Old Persian mardum-giyah, meaning 'man-like plant') that was later modified by folk etymology into the modern English word 'mandrake'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mandragora. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mandragora
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