n. 1 any evergreen plant of the genus Helleborus, having large white, green, or purplish flowers, e.g. the Christmas rose. 2 a liliaceous plant, Veratrum album. 3 hist. any of various plants supposed to cure madness.
[ ME f. OF ellebre, elebore or med.L eleborus f. L elleborus f. Gk (h)elleboros ]