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Glite Dictionary
life-of-man

life-of-man

9.9
A woody plant that lives for many years with groups of small flowers and strong-smelling roots
  • noun
  • /ˈlaɪf əv mæn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : raíz de vida del hombre
  • In the wild, life-of-man is easily recognized by its large, panicled umbels and aromatic smell.

Examples

  • The roots of life-of-man have long been used in traditional remedies.

  • Botanists found several clusters of life-of-man growing along the forest edge.

  • The life-of-man plant is known for its medicinal properties.

  • Many herbalists use life-of-man in their remedies.

  • In the wild, life-of-man is easily recognized by its large, panicled umbels and aromatic smell.

  • Botanists found several clusters of life-of-man growing along the forest edge.

  • The roots of life-of-man have long been used in traditional remedies.

Synonyms

Aralia racemosa
vslife-of-man
  • Specialized
9.9

A North American plant with aromatic roots used in traditional medicine

is the traditional common name for the same plant
American spikenard
vslife-of-man
  • US
9.5

A tall North American plant with strong-smelling roots and clusters of small greenish flowers

is the formal botanical label referring to the same species

Surface Forms

life-of-man singular
life-of-mans plural

Morphology

life-of-man = life + man (opaque) = of + life + man

Although formed from the phrase 'life of man', the word is a fixed plant name whose referent is not deducible from the literal components.

Etymology

The name life-of-man is an old folk name that points to the plant's use in traditional remedies: people used its aromatic roots as a cure to bring back 'life' or strength to 'man'. So the name helps you remember that this perennial plant was valued for its healing roots.