Definition of MANDRAKE

mandrake

Plural: mandrakes

Noun

  • the root of the mandrake plant; used medicinally or as a narcotic
  • a plant of southern Europe and North Africa having purple flowers, yellow fruits and a forked root formerly thought to have magical powers
  • Any plant of the genus Mandragora, certain of which are said to have medicinal or aphrodisiac properties; the root of these plants often resembles the shape of a small person, hence occasioning various mythic, magical, or occult uses.
  • A root of a mandrake plant that resembled human form, especially one kept or used for magic or occult purposes.
  • The drug methaqualone.
  • A kind of tiny demon immune to fire.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English mandrake, mandroke, an alteration of mandragora with the ending -dragora reinterpreted as related to dragon and replaced with native drake, from Old English mandragora, from Medieval Latin mandragorās.

Synonyms

devil's apples, mandies, mandragora, Mandragora officinarum, mandrake root

Scrabble Score: 15

mandrake is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
mandrake is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
mandrake is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

mandrake is a valid Words With Friends word