və̇ˈrā.trəm noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, hellebore
1.
a. capitalized : a genus of coarse herbs (family Liliaceae) having short poisonous rootstocks, large plicate clasping leaves in three vertical ranks, and panicled flowers with the perianth segments adnate to the ovary — compare veratrine
b. -s : any plant of the genus Veratrum
2. -s : the dried rhizome and roots of the American hellebore ( Veratrum viride ) or the European white hellebore ( V. album ) used in the treatment of hypertension