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A plant of the genus Zingiber, of the East and West Indies. The species most known is Z. officinale.

xecuted. -- Glove sponge (Zoöl.), a fine and soft variety of commercial sponges (Spongia officinalis). -- To be hand and glove with, to be intimately associated or on good terms with. "Hand and glove with traitors." J. H. Newman. -- To handle without gloves, to treat without reserve or tenderness; to deal roughly wi…

One of the essential principles of the hedge hyssop (Gratiola officinalis).

c., as distinguished from winged game. -- Ground hele (Bot.), a perennial herb (Veronica officinalis) with small blue flowers, common in Europe and America, formerly thought to have curative properties. -- Ground of the heavens (Astron.), the surface of any part of the celestial sphere upon which the stars may be reg…

European black hellebore, or Christmas rose, blossoming in winter or earliest spring. H. officinalis was the officinal hellebore of the ancients.

A biennial weed (Cynoglossum officinale), with soft tongue- shaped leaves, and an offensive odor. It bears nutlets covered with barbed or hooked prickles. Called also dog's-tongue.

A plant (Hyssopus officinalis). The leaves have an aromatic smell, and a warm, pungent taste.

hrubby plant of the genus Jasminum, bearing flowers of a peculiarly fragrant odor. The J. officinale, common in the south of Europe, bears white flowers. The Arabian jasmine is J. Sambac, and, with J. angustifolia, comes from the East Indies. The yellow false jasmine in the Gelseminum sempervirens (see Gelsemium). Seve…

A tree (Guaiacum officinale) found in the warm latitudes of America, from which the guaiacum of medicine is procured. Its wood is very hard and heavy, and is used for various mechanical purposes, as for the wheels of ships' blocks, cogs, bearings, and the like. See Guaiacum.

An umbelliferous plant (Levisticum officinale), sometimes used in medicine as an aromatic stimulant.

An herb of the genus Pulmonaria (P. officinalis), of Europe; -- so called because the spotted appearance of the leaves resembles that of a diseased lung.

Formulated extemporaneously, or for a special case; -- opposed to officinal, and said of prescriptions and medicines. Dunglison. Magistral line (Fort.), the guiding line, or outline, or outline, by which the form of the work is determined. It is usually the crest line of the parapet in fieldworks, or the top line of th…

A name for several plants with golden yellow blossoms, especially the Calendula officinalis (see Calendula), and the cultivated species of Tagetes.

irostris of salt-water marshes. -- Marsh mallow (Bot.), a plant of the genus Althæa ( A. officinalis) common in marshes near the seashore, and whose root is much used in medicine as a demulcent. -- Marsh marigold. (Bot.) See in the Vocabulary. -- Marsh pennywort (Bot.), any plant of the umbelliferous genus Hydrocoty…

A genus of labiate herbs, including the balm, or bee balm (Melissa officinalis).

A climbing plant (Ullucus officinalis) of the Andes, having tuberous roots which are used as a substitute for potatoes.

pharmacopoeia; appointed to be used in medicine; as, an official drug or preparation. Cf. Officinal.

A name given to several plants, from the shape and roughness of their leaves; as, Anchusa officinalis, a kind of bugloss, and Helminthia echioides, both European herbs.

e Mediterranean region, having finely divided leaves and whitish flowers. The root is the officinal pellitory, and is used as an irritant and sialogogue. Called also bertram, and pellitory of Spain.

The herb vervain (Verbena officinalis).