Wormwood
/ˈwɜːrmˌwʊd/noun
A bitter herb used in traditional medicine and for flavoring absinthe.
Did you know?In the Bible, wormwood symbolizes bitterness and sorrow, often associated with divine punishment and judgment.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wer-
“to turn, twist, or bend, often associated with the idea of writhing, like a worm.”
Old English
OE
wyrmwyrt
“the herb associated with worms, referring to its use in purging and traditional medicine.”
Middle English
ME
wormwode
“bitter herb used in medicine and as a flavoring, often linked to its effects on pests.”
14th Century
Latin
artemisia
“named for Artemis, goddess of the hunt, reflecting its historical use in herbal remedies.”
Modern English
English
wormwood
“a term for various bitter herbs, particularly associated with absinthe and its hallucinogenic properties.”