wormwood

as inbitter pill

Word Origin & History

c.1400, folk etymology of Old English wermod "wormwood," related to vermouth, but the ultimate etymology is unknown. Cf. Old Saxon wermoda, Dutch wermoet, Old High German werimuota, German Wermut. Weekley suggests wer "man" + mod "courage," from its early use as an aphrodisiac. Figurative use, however, is usually in reference to its bitter aftertaste. Perhaps because of the folk etymology, it formerly was used to protect clothes and bedding from moths and fleas. "A medecyne for an hawke that hath mites. Take the Iuce of wormewode and put it ther thay be and thei shall dye." ["Book of St. Albans," 1486]

Example Sentences for wormwood

I have summoned you here to witness it, because I know it will be gall and wormwood to you!

Give it brimstone and treacle and a cupful of wormwood and camomile.

This was wormwood and gall to the parent, but he did not spare himself.

He had to live on her money, which galled him, and to be assisted by the Dean's money, which was wormwood to him.

It may easily be conceived ...

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Synonyms for wormwood

noun something unavoidable and unpleasant

More words related to wormwood

bitter pill

noun. something unavoidable and unpleasant

wormwood

Synonyms for wormwood

More words related to wormwood

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bitter pill