: a tropical Old World herb (Ricinus communis) widely grown as an ornamental or for its oil-rich castor beans
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebFor florists, the danger isn’t metaphorical; Thompson recalls a colleague who was momentarily blinded when handling a castor-oil plant. Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2020
Word History
First Known Use
1836, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
castor-oil plant
noun
: a tropical Old World herb of the genus Ricinus (R. communis) widely grown as an ornamental or for its oil-rich castor beans that are a source of castor oil