mandrake
|man-drake|
🇺🇸
/ˈmænˌdreɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˈmæn.dreɪk/
magical plant
Etymology
'mandrake' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'mandragora,' where 'man-' meant 'man' and '-drake' meant 'dragon.'
'mandragora' transformed into the Middle English word 'mandrake,' and eventually became the modern English word 'mandrake.'
Initially, it meant 'a plant with magical properties,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a plant of the nightshade family, Mandragora officinarum, with a forked root resembling a human figure, historically used in magic and medicine.
The mandrake was believed to have magical properties.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a narcotic or soporific drug obtained from the root of the mandrake plant.
In ancient times, mandrake was used as a sedative.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/07/22 17:41