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Webster 1913 Edition
Hermodactyl
Herˊmo-dac′tyl
,Noun.
[NL.
hermodactylus
, lit., Hermes’ finger; fr. Gr. [GREEK] Hermes + [GREEK] finger.] (med.)
A heart-shaped bulbous root, about the size of a finger, brought from Turkey, formerly used as a cathartic.
Webster 1828 Edition
Hermodactyl
HERMODAC'TYL
,Noun.
In the Materia Medic, a root brought from Turkey. It is in the shape of a heart flatted, of a white color, compact, but easy to be cut or pulverized, of a viscous sweetish taste, with a slight degree of acrimony. Some suppose it to be the root of the
Colchicum variegatum; others,the root of the Iris tuberosa. It was anciently in great repute as a cathartic; but that which is now furnished has little or no cathartic quality.