agnus castus
/ˈaɡnəs ˈkastəs/noun
1An aromatic shrub, Vitex agnus-castus (family Verbenaceae), native to the Mediterranean and central Asia, which has digitate leaves, tall spikes of lilac-coloured flowers, and small round reddish-black berries; also called chaste tree. Formerly also: †the plant tutsan, Hypericum androsaemum (family Hypericaceae), with reddish leaves and yellow flowers ( obsolete ).
2Any of various medicinal preparations made from the seeds, fruits, or other parts of Vitex agnus-castus, formally believed to reduce sexual potency or desire, and now used mainly in herbal remedies for menstrual and menopausal symptoms.
Origin
Late Middle English; earliest use found in John Trevisa (c1342–?1402), translator. From post-classical Latin agnus castus from agnus + classical Latin castus chaste.
- water ice
- water icing
- waterily
- wateriness
- watering bridle
- watering call
- watering can
- watering cap
- watering cart
- watering hole
- watering-house
- watering pan
- watering party
- watering place
- watering pot
- watering slip
- watering snaffle
- watering stone
- water injection
- water-insoluble
- water-intoxicated
- water intoxication
- waterish
- water ivy
- water jacket