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Glite Dictionary
mad-dog weed

mad-dog weed

9.9
An American mint plant that makes a sticky substance once used to ease muscle spasms
  • noun
  • /ˈmædˌdɔg wid/
  • Archaic
translation icon : hierba del perro loco
  • The leaves of mad-dog weed contain a resin that was valued in herbal medicine.

Examples

  • Early settlers used mad-dog weed as a remedy for muscle spasms.

  • Many herbalists use mad-dog weed in their remedies.

  • Botanists studied mad-dog weed to understand its historical medical significance.

  • The mad-dog weed is known for its medicinal properties.

  • Early settlers used mad-dog weed to treat muscle spasms effectively.

  • The leaves of mad-dog weed were historically considered valuable for their antispasmodic effects.

  • Many herbalists incorporate mad-dog weed into their treatments for relieving spasms.

Synonyms

blue skullcap
vsmad-dog weed
  • US
9.9

A North American mint plant with blue flowers used to calm muscle spasms

is the same plant but known by a different common name
Scutellaria lateriflora
vsmad-dog weed
  • Specialized
9.9

A North American mint herb used to calm nerves and ease muscle spasms

mentions the resinous substance it produces rather than only the herb use
mad-dog skullcap
vsmad-dog weed
  • Archaic
9.9

A North American herb of the mint family once used to treat seizures and nervous problems

focuses on antispasmodic use rather than treating epilepsy or nervous disorders

Surface Forms

mad-dog weed singular
mad-dog weeds plural

Morphology

mad-dog + weed

Although 'weed' clearly signals a plant, the modifier 'mad-dog' is not a transparent, compositional element (and is not attested in the provided dictionary entry), so the specific sense — an American mint that yields a resinous antispasmodic — is lexicalized and cannot be derived from the parts. A B1 learner knowing 'mad', 'dog' and 'weed' might guess it is some kind of plant with an alarming name but would not predict its botanical identity or medicinal use, therefore the expression is opaque.

Etymology

Mad-dog weed may get its name from old medicine: people used the leaves of mad-dog weed after bites from 'mad' dogs because the strong mint seemed to 'calm' shaking and spasms. That's why the plant's name is linked to its use as a medicine.