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Glite Dictionary
mandrake root

mandrake root

1 9.9
A plant root people believe has magical or healing powers that people sometimes use as a drug
  • noun
  • /ˈmændreɪk ruːt/
  • NSFW
translation icon : raíz de mandrágora
  • Who here can tell me the properties of the mandrake root?

Examples

  • In folklore, it was said that pulling up a mandrake root would cause it to scream and attract trouble.

  • Many ancient cultures believed that mandrake root could cure various ailments and even protect against evil spirits.

  • The herbalist recommended mandrake root as a natural remedy for insomnia due to its calming properties.

Synonyms

mandrake
vsmandrake root
  • NSFW
2 9.9

A forked root people use in traditional medicines and stories about magic

is the specific name for the root rather than the general plant name
Mandragora
vsmandrake root
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small plant with a thick, often forked root that people used in old medicine and stories

refers only to the actual root and its medicinal or narcotic uses
Mandragora officinarum
vsmandrake root
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant with purple flowers and a forked root thought to be magical and used as medicine

focuses specifically on the root's use and properties rather than the whole plant

Surface Forms

mandrake root singular
mandrake roots plural

Morphology

mandrake + root

The phrase is compositionally literal: it denotes the root of the mandrake plant, which is directly derivable from 'mandrake' (the plant) plus 'root' (underground organ). Although cultural or medicinal/magical associations require extra background, a B1 learner who knows both constituent words will understand the basic referent.

Etymology

The mandrake root is the root of the mandrake plant that often looks like the shape of a tiny person, and one popular story says it would scream when pulled from the ground. Because of that strange shape and scream, people long ago believed the mandrake root had special powers and used it as 'medicine' or a charm, so it became linked to 'magic' and 'good luck'.