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Man"drake (măn"drāk), n.
[AS. mandragora, L. mandragoras, fr. Gr.
mandrago`ras: cf. F. mandragore.]
1. (Bot.) A low plant (Mandragora
officinarum) of the Nightshade family, having a fleshy root,
often forked, and supposed to resemble a man. It was therefore
supposed to have animal life, and to cry out when pulled up. All
parts of the plant are strongly narcotic. It is found in the
Mediterranean region.

And shrieks like mandrakes, torn out of the
earth,

That living mortals, hearing them, run mad.

&fist; The mandrake of Scripture was perhaps the same plant, but
proof is wanting.

2. (Bot.) The May apple
(Podophyllum peltatum). See May apple under May,
and Podophyllum. [U.S.]

Man"drel (?), n. [F. mandrin,
prob. through (assumed) LL. mamphurinum, fr. L. mamphur
a bow drill.] (Mach.) (a) A bar of metal
inserted in the work to shape it, or to hold it, as in a lathe,
during the process of manufacture; an arbor.


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