Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun In Australia, the blinding-tree or tiger's-milk, Excæcaria Agallocha, often called
river poison-tree on account of its habitat and in distinction from another species of the same genus. Seetiger's-milk . - noun Any tree of poisonous character, especially species of Rhus; also
Croton Verreauxii , a small Australian tree.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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To return the cup with its contents untasted, will give him reason to think that we believe it to be the juice of the poison-tree; it will provoke his anger and bring destruction upon us all.
Traditions of the North American Indians, Vol. 2 (of 3) James Athearn Jones
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Brahma answers that the demon's power comes from him, and he does not feel at liberty to proceed against it; "for it is not fitting to cut down even a poison-tree that one's own hand has planted."
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But you seem to have spent an hour in that poison-tree grove, and that gives the 'devil-trees,' as
Plotting in Pirate Seas Francis Rolt-Wheeler 1918
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It was a poison-tree which her tears watered and caused to shoot forth yet deeper roots, yet wider branches, overspreading her life with ever denser, more noxious shadows.
Dr. Heidenhoff's Process Edward Bellamy 1874
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It is like the poison-tree in travellers 'stories, tempting weary men to rest beneath its thick foliage, and insinuating death into the limbs that relax in the fatal coolness of its shade.
Expositions of Holy Scripture Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and First Book of Samuel, Second Samuel, First Kings, and Second Kings chapters I to VII Alexander Maclaren 1868
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He believed in the diffusion of the principles which he proclaimed, and the mighty Name which he served, as able to girdle the poison-tree, and to take the bark off it, and the rest, the slow dying, might be left to the work of time.
Expositions of Holy Scripture: Romans Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V) Alexander Maclaren 1868
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With the loyal Southeners, the government can find a way to be just without leaving a root of that poison-tree which has nearly been the utter death of the Republic.
A Discourse in Memory of our Late President, Abraham Lincoln 1865
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God and man, has slain the South, and as the monstrous blossom of a poison-tree, has slain its friend and honor in Abraham Lincoln.
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And in what a rate of terrible geometrical progression, far beyond our poor computation, any act of Injustice once done by us grows; rooting itself ever anew, spreading ever anew, like a banyan-tree, -- blasting all life under it, for it is a poison-tree!
Latter-Day Pamphlets Thomas Carlyle 1838
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"The juice of the upas, -- vulgarly called the poison-tree."
My Novel — Volume 05 Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838
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