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hemlock definition

hem·lock (hem′läk′)

noun

    1. a poisonous European plant (Conium maculatum) of the umbel family, with compound umbels of small, white flowers and finely divided leaves; poison hemlock
    2. a poison made from this plant
  2. water hemlock
    1. any of a genus (Tsuga) of North American and Asiatic evergreen trees of the pine family, with drooping branches and short needles: the bark is used in tanning
    2. the wood of such a tree

Etymology: ME hemlok < OE hemlic, hymlic, akin ? to hymele, hop

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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