cantharis

noun

can·tha·ris | \ ˈkan(t)-thə-rəs

plural cantharides\ kan-ˈther-ə-ˌdēz

, -ˈtha-rə- \

Definition of cantharis

1 : spanish fly sense 1

2 cantharides plural in form but singular or plural in construction : a preparation of dried beetles (such as Spanish flies) used in medicine as a counterirritant and formerly as an aphrodisiac

History and Etymology for cantharis

Middle English cantaride (usually in plural) "the blister beetle Lytta vesicatoria (earlier Cantharis vesictoria), preparation made from the beetles," borrowed from Latin cantharid-, cantharis (plural cantharidēs) "the beetle Lytta vesicatoria," borrowed from Greek kantharís, from kántharos "the dung beetle Gymnopleurus mopsus" (of obscure origin) + -id-, -is, diminutive suffix

Note: The Greek word kántharos denotes various things (beetle, cup, a kind of boat, a species of fish) the interrelations of which are far from clear; possibly several words of distinct origin have merged.

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More Definitions for cantharis

cantharis

noun

can·tha·ris | \ ˈkan(t)-thə-rəs

plural cantharides\ kan-ˈthar-ə-ˌdēz

Medical Definition of cantharis

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : spanish fly sense 1

2 cantharides plural in form but singular or plural in construction : a preparation of dried beetles and especially Spanish flies that contains cantharidin and is used in medicine as a blister-producing agent and formerly as an aphrodisiac

— called also Spanish fly

Cantharis

noun

Can·tha·ris | \ ˈkan(t)-thə-rəs

Medical Definition of Cantharis (Entry 2 of 2)

taxonomic synonym of lytta

cantharis

Definition of cantharis

First Known Use of cantharis

History and Etymology for cantharis

Medical Definition of cantharis

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