death camass — 1. any of several North American plants belonging to the genus Zigadenus, of the lily family, having narrow leaves and clusters of flowers. 2. the root of any of these plants, poisonous to sheep and other animals. [1885 90, Amer.] * * * death… … Useful english dictionary
death camass — death′ cam ass n. 1) pln a North American plant of the genus Zigadenus, of the lily family, having narrow leaves and clusters of flowers 2) pln the root of this plant, poisonous to animals • Etymology: 1885–90, amer … From formal English to slang
camass — /kam euhs/, n. 1. any of several plants of the genus Camassia, of the lily family, esp. C. quamash, of western North America, having long clusters of blue to white flowers and edible bulbs. 2. See death camass. Also, camas. [1795 1805, Amer.; … Universalium
camass — cam•ass or cam•as [[t]ˈkæm əs[/t]] n. 1) pln any of several plants of the genus Camassia, of the lily family, esp. C. quamash, of W North America, having long clusters of blue to white flowers and edible bulbs 2) pln death camass • Etymology:… … From formal English to slang
death camas — noun any of various plants of the genus Zigadenus having glaucous leaves and terminal racemes of mostly white flowers; all are poisonous • Syn: ↑zigadene • Hypernyms: ↑liliaceous plant • Hyponyms: ↑alkali grass, ↑Zigadenus elegans, ↑ … Useful english dictionary
deathcamas — ☆ deathcamas [dethkam′əs ] n. any of various plants (genus Zigadenus) of the lily family, with grasslike basal leaves and clusters of greenish or white flowers: often poisonous to sheep: also death camass * * * death camas also death camass n.… … Universalium
cam|as — cam|ass or cam|as «KAM uhs», noun. 1. a plant of the lily family growing in western North America. Its sweet, nourishing bulbs were eaten by Indians. 2. = death camass. (Cf. ↑death camas)Also, quamash. ╂[American English < Chinook jargon <… … Useful english dictionary
cam|ass — or cam|as «KAM uhs», noun. 1. a plant of the lily family growing in western North America. Its sweet, nourishing bulbs were eaten by Indians. 2. = death camass. (Cf. ↑death camas)Also, quamash. ╂[American English < Chinook jargon < Nootka… … Useful english dictionary
deathcamas — ☆ deathcamas [dethkam′əs ] n. any of various plants (genus Zigadenus) of the lily family, with grasslike basal leaves and clusters of greenish or white flowers: often poisonous to sheep: also death camass … English World dictionary
American Indians — American Indians † Catholic Encyclopedia ► American Indians GENERAL When Columbus landed on the island of San Salvador in 1492 he was welcomed by a brown skinned people whose physical appearance confirmed him in his opinion that… … Catholic encyclopedia