henbane

Meaning

1. (countable, uncountable) A poisonous plant, Hyoscyamus niger, used sometimes as a drug that causes at least hallucinations, dilated pupils, restlessness, and flushed skin.
2. (countable, uncountable) Any other plant of the genus Hyoscyamus.

Synonyms

stinking nightshade

black henbane

Hyoscyamus niger

poisonous

belladonna

Semen Hyoscyami

bittersweet

nightshade

Translations

Hyoscyamus niger

jusquiame

Bilsenkraut

jusquiame noire

beleño

beleno negro

bilzekruid

meimendro

Hyoscyamus niger

giusquiamo

giusquiamo nero

στρύχνος

υοσκύαμος

jusquiam negre

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈhɛnbeɪn/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: henbane

Cognate with Danish: hønsebane

Cognate with Swedish: hönsbane

Cognate with Old English: hennebelle

In summary

From Middle English henbane, hennebane ( > French hanebane), equivalent to hen + bane. Cognate with Danish hønsebane, Swedish hönsbane. Compare also Old English hennebelle (“henbane”, literally “hen-bell”).