sanguinaria

noun

san·​gui·​nar·​ia ˌsaŋ-gwə-ˈner-ē-ə How to pronounce sanguinaria (audio)
1
: bloodroot
2
: the rhizome and roots of a bloodroot or an extract of these having expectorant, emetic, and antimicrobial properties

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, an herb that stanches blood, from feminine of sanguinarius sanguinary

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sanguinaria was in 1808

Rhymes for sanguinaria

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Browse Nearby Words

sanguimotor
sanguinaria
sanguinary
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Cite this Entry

“Sanguinaria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanguinaria. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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Medical Definition

sanguinaria

noun
san·​gui·​nar·​ia ˌsaŋ-gwə-ˈner-ē-ə, -ˈnar- How to pronounce sanguinaria (audio)
: the rhizome and roots of the bloodroot formerly used as an expectorant and emetic
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