Cantharis

From Fresh Dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun

English

Etymology

From Greek κανθαρις.

Pronunciation

IPA: /kæn'θæɹɪs/

Noun

cantharis (usually in plural cantharides)

1. the Spanish fly, Lytta vesicatoria, taken to have aphrodisiac properties

   • 1964: Speaking her name, it was as if he spake pure cantharides. ‘Quick,’ she panted. ‘There is time before they are all about. Again.’ — Anthony Burgess, Nothing Like The Sun
   • 1992: It’s lucky that Carol had taken the precaution of obtaining some cantharides; without them the evening might have been a dead loss. — Will Self, Cock And Bull

fr:cantharis zh:cantharis