mustard

mustard
    n 1: any of several cruciferous plants of the genus Brassica
    2: pungent powder or paste prepared from ground mustard seeds
       [syn: {mustard}, {table mustard}]
    3: leaves eaten as cooked greens [syn: {mustard}, {mustard
       greens}, {leaf mustard}, {Indian mustard}]
    

Mustard \Mus"tard\, n. [OF. moustarde, F. moutarde, fr. L.
   mustum must, -- mustard was prepared for use by being mixed
   with must. See {Must}, n.]
   1. (Bot.) The name of several cruciferous plants of the genus
      {Brassica} (formerly {Sinapis}), as {white mustard}
      ({Brassica alba}), {black mustard} ({Brassica Nigra}),
      {wild mustard} or {charlock} ({Brassica Sinapistrum}).
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: There are also many herbs of the same family which are
         called mustard, and have more or less of the flavor of
         the true mustard; as, bowyer's mustard ({Lepidium
         ruderale}); hedge mustard ({Sisymbrium officinale});
         Mithridate mustard ({Thlaspi arvense}); tower mustard
         ({Arabis perfoliata}); treacle mustard ({Erysimum
         cheiranthoides}).
         [1913 Webster]

   2. A powder or a paste made from the seeds of black or white
      mustard, used as a condiment and a rubefacient. Taken
      internally it is stimulant and diuretic, and in large
      doses is emetic.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Mustard oil} (Chem.), a substance obtained from mustard, as
      a transparent, volatile and intensely pungent oil. The
      name is also extended to a number of analogous compounds
      produced either naturally or artificially.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Mustard
a plant of the genus sinapis, a pod-bearing, shrub-like plant,
growing wild, and also cultivated in gardens. The little round
seeds were an emblem of any small insignificant object. It is
not mentioned in the Old Testament; and in each of the three
instances of its occurrence in the New Testament (Matt. 13:31,
32; Mark 4:31, 32; Luke 13:18, 19) it is spoken of only with
reference to the smallness of its seed. The common mustard of
Palestine is the Sinapis nigra. This garden herb sometimes grows
to a considerable height, so as to be spoken of as "a tree" as
compared with garden herbs.