from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Sassafras \Sas"sa*fras\, n. [F. sassafras (cf. It. sassafrasso,
sassafras, Sp. sasafras, salsafras, salsifrax, salsifragia,
saxifragia), fr. L. saxifraga saxifrage. See {Saxifrage}.]
(Bot.)
An American tree of the Laurel family ({Sassafras
officinale}); also, the bark of the roots, which has an
aromatic smell and taste.
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{Australian sassafras}, a lofty tree ({Doryophora Sassafras})
with aromatic bark and leaves.
{Chilian sassafras}, an aromatic tree ({Laurelia
sempervirens}).
{New Zealand sassafras}, a similar tree ({Laurelia Novae
Zelandiae}).
{Sassafras nut}. See {Pichurim bean}.
{Swamp sassafras}, the sweet bay ({Magnolia glauca}). See
{Magnolia}.
[1913 Webster]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Laurel \Lau"rel\, n. [OE. lorel, laurer, lorer, OF. lorier,
laurier, F. laurier, (assumed) LL. Laurarius, fr. L. laurus.]
1. (Bot.) An evergreen shrub, of the genus {Laurus} ({Laurus
nobilis}), having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape,
with clusters of small, yellowish white flowers in their
axils; -- called also {sweet bay}.
Note: The fruit is a purple berry. It is found about the
Mediterranean, and was early used by the ancient Greeks
to crown the victor in the games of Apollo. At a later
period, academic honors were indicated by a crown of
laurel, with the fruit. The leaves and tree yield an
aromatic oil, used to flavor the bay water of commerce.
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Note: The name is extended to other plants which in some
respect resemble the true laurel. See Phrases, below.
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2. A crown of laurel; hence, honor; distinction; fame; --
especially in the plural; as, to win laurels.
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3. An English gold coin made in 1619, and so called because
the king's head on it was crowned with laurel.
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{Laurel water}, water distilled from the fresh leaves of the
cherry laurel, and containing prussic acid and other
products carried over in the process.
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{American laurel}, or {Mountain laurel}, {Kalmia latifolia};
called also {calico bush}. See under {Mountain}.
{California laurel}, {Umbellularia Californica}.
{Cherry laurel} (in England called {laurel}). See under
{Cherry}.
{Great laurel}, the rosebay ({Rhododendron maximum}).
{Ground laurel}, trailing arbutus.
{New Zealand laurel}, the {Laurelia Nov[ae] Zelandi[ae]}.
{Portugal laurel}, the {Prunus Lusitanica}.
{Rose laurel}, the oleander. See {Oleander}.
{Sheep laurel}, a poisonous shrub, {Kalmia angustifolia},
smaller than the mountain laurel, and with smaller and
redder flowers.
{Spurge laurel}, {Daphne Laureola}.
{West Indian laurel}, {Prunus occidentalis}.
[1913 Webster]