wormwood Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of several low composite herbs of the genera Artemisia or Seriphidium

WordNet

Worm"wood noun
Etymology
AS. wermd, akin to OHG. wermuota, wormuota, G. wermuth, wermut; of uncertain origin.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A composite plant (Artemisia Absinthium), having a bitter and slightly aromatic taste, formerly used as a tonic and a vermifuge, and to protect woolen garments from moths. It gives the peculiar flavor to the cordial called absinthe. The volatile oil is a narcotic poison. The term is often extended to other species of the same genus.
  2. Anything very bitter or grievous; bitterness.
    Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood. Deut. xxix. 18.

Webster 1913