from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Pleurisy \Pleu"ri*sy\, n. [F. pleur['e]sie, L. pleurisis,
pleuritis, Gr pleyri^tis (sc. no`sos), fr. pleyra` rib,
side.] (Med.)
An inflammation of the pleura, usually accompanied with
fever, pain, difficult respiration, and cough, and with
exudation into the pleural cavity.
[1913 Webster]
{Pleurisy root}. (Bot.)
(a) The large tuberous root of a kind of milkweed ({Asclepias
tuberosa}) which is used as a remedy for pleuritic and
other diseases.
(b) The plant itself, which has deep orange-colored flowers;
-- called also {butterfly weed}.
[1913 Webster]