berberis

noun

ber·​ber·​is ˈbər-bər-əs How to pronounce berberis (audio)
: barberry

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, the genus including barberry, alteration of Medieval Latin barberis barberry, from Arabic barbārīs

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of berberis was in 1561

Dictionary Entries Near berberis

berberine

berberis

berberry

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Berberis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/berberis. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

berberis

noun
ber·​ber·​is ˈbər-bə-rəs How to pronounce berberis (audio)
1
capitalized : a large genus of shrubs (family Berberidaceae) that usually have prickly stems, yellow flowers, and red or blackish berries compare mahonia
2
: the dried rhizome and roots of some barberries of the genus Mahonia (especially M. aquifolium) that contain a number of alkaloids (as berberine and berbamine)
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