any plant of the Eurasian ranunculaceous genus Helleborus, esp H. niger (black hellebore), typically having showy flowers and poisonous parts
See also Christmas rose
2.
any of various liliaceous plants of the N temperate genus Veratrum, esp V. album, that have greenish flowers and yield alkaloids used in the treatment of heart disease
Word origin
C14: from Greek helleboros, of uncertain origin
hellebore in American English
(ˈhɛləˌbɔr)
noun
1.
any of a genus (Helleborus) of poisonous, winter-blooming plants of the buttercup family, with buttercuplike flowers of various colors: the rhizomes of a black European species (H. niger) were formerly used as a heart stimulant and cathartic
2.
any of a genus (Veratrum) of poisonous plants of the lily family: the white hellebore (V. album) and the false hellebore (V. viride) were formerly used as cathartics, etc.
Word origin
altered (after Gr) < ME ellebore < OFr < L helleborus < Gr helleboros, orig. prob. “plant eaten by fawns” < hellos, var. of ellos, fawn < base of elaphos, deer + bora, food (of beasts): for IE base see elk & voracious
Examples of 'hellebore' in a sentence
hellebore
Then there is the dazzling range of colours and markings from hellebores.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It includes woodland planting of hellebores and spring bulbs.