Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A poisonous lilylike plant (Amianthium muscaetoxicum) of the eastern United States, having narrow basal leaves and a terminal raceme of small white or greenish flowers.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A poisonous substance used to kill flies.
  • noun In botany, the Amianthium muscætoxicum, a liliaceous plant of the eastern part of the United States, allied to Veratrum.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • There was a walnut drop-head sewing-machine on which a pink saucer of some black liquid fly-poison stood.

    Poor, Dear Margaret Kirby Kathleen Thompson Norris 1923

  • Macerated in milk, it has been employed for centuries as a fly-poison, hence its name.

    The Treasure-Train 1908

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