Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A genus of polypetalous plants, type of the order Rutaceæ and tribe Ruteæ.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun type genus of the Rutaceae; strong-scented Eurasian herbs

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  • from Century Dictionary's definition of rue:

    n. Any plant of the genus Ruta, especially R. graveolens, the common or garden rue, a native of the Mediterranean region and western Asia, and elsewhere common in cultivation. It is a woody herb of bushy habit, 2 or 3 feet high, with decompound leaves, the leaflets of a bluish-green color, strongly dotted. The flowers are greenish-yellow and corymbed, and are produced all summer. The plant has a strong disagreeable odor, and the leaves are extremely acrid, even producing blisters. In antiquity and the middle ages rue was highly esteemed as a medicine, and was believed to ward off contagion. It has the properties of a stimulant and antispasmodic, but accompanied by excitant and irritant tendencies. It is not now officinal, but continues somewhat in popular use. In medieval folk-lore it was a common witches' drug. From its supposed virtues, or by association with the word rue, repentance, it was formerly called herb-of-grace.

    May 7, 2012

  • no matter which route! (see visuals)

    May 7, 2012