Mus"tard (?), n. [OF. moustarde,
F. moutarde, fr. L. mustum must, -- mustard was
prepared for use by being mixed with must. See Must,
n.]
1. (Bot.) The name
of several cruciferous plants of the genus Brassica (formerly
Sinapis), as white mustard (B. alba), black mustard
(B. Nigra), wild mustard or charlock (B.
Sinapistrum).
&fist; There are also many herbs of the same family which are
called mustard, and have more or less of the flavor of the
true mustard; as, bowyer's mustard (Lepidium ruderale); hedge
mustard (Sisymbrium officinale); Mithridate mustard
(Thlaspi arvense); tower mustard (Arabis perfoliata);
treacle mustard (Erysimum cheiranthoides).
2. A powder or a paste made from the seeds of
black or white mustard, used as a condiment and a rubefacient. Taken
internally it is stimulant and diuretic, and in large doses is
emetic.
Mustard oil (Chem.), a substance
obtained from mustard, as a transparent, volatile and intensely
pungent oil. The name is also extended to a number of analogous
compounds produced either naturally or artificially.
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