mandrake
mandrake Lexical Profile
mandrake Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A Mediterranean plant of the nightshade family (Mandragora officinarum), characterized by large leaves, bell-shaped flowers, and a thick, forked root historically believed to resemble a human figure and widely associated with magical properties.
"In medieval folklore, it was believed that uprooting a mandrake would cause the plant to emit a deadly, piercing shriek."
North American A North American woodland plant (Podophyllum peltatum) of the barberry family that produces umbrella-like leaves and a single white flower, commonly known as the Mayapple or American mandrake.
"While hiking through the Appalachian woods in early spring, the botanist spotted a dense patch of American mandrake beginning to bloom."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'mandrake' or 'mandragge', a shortening of Latin 'mandragora' (from Greek 'mandragoras'). The English spelling was historically altered by folk etymology, associating the word with 'man' and 'drake' (dragon) due to the root's humanoid shape and magical lore.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.