unicorn root
- noun
- Archaic
:
raíz de unicornio
- Many people believe that unicorn root can help with colic.
Examples
-
The herbalist recommended unicorn root for digestive issues.
-
Traditional healers have long used unicorn root to treat digestive issues.
-
Botanists studied several species of unicorn root found in North America.
-
The bitter extract of unicorn root was once popular in folk medicine.
-
Botanists studied several species of unicorn root known for their therapeutic properties.
-
The bitter extract of unicorn root was traditionally used to cure colic and other ailments.
-
Traditional healers have recommended unicorn root for centuries as a treatment for digestive problems.
Synonyms
A plant that lives for several years with grasslike leaves and bitter roots that people use to treat stomach pain
A small plant like grass with pale flowers and a bitter root used to treat stomach problems
A small plant with grasslike leaves whose bitter root was used to treat stomach pain
Surface Forms
Morphology
The word 'root' clearly signals a plant part, so a B1 learner would likely infer this is a plant/root name; however 'unicorn' is figurative/historical rather than literal and does not reveal the specific species or medicinal sense. Because the compound partly signals its botanical nature but relies on an arbitrary or metaphorical modifier, its meaning is not fully predictable from the constituents.
Etymology
One popular story says the name unicorn root comes from the plant's root shape: the long, pointed root looked like a single horn, so people thought of unicorn and root. Because horns were seen as strong and healing, the bitter root was used 'to cure stomach pain' and the name now refers to a plant used as medicine.
