hemlock

[ˈhemlɒk]

hemlock Definition

  • 1a highly poisonous European plant of the parsley family, with purple-spotted stems and small white flowers.
  • 2a poisonous drink made from this plant, used by the ancient Greeks for capital punishment.
  • 3a North American plant of the carrot family, with finely divided leaves and small white flowers.

Using hemlock: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "hemlock" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The hemlock plant is highly toxic and can cause death if ingested.

  • Example

    Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking a cup of hemlock.

  • Example

    The hemlock water dropwort is a highly poisonous plant found in the UK.

hemlock Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for hemlock

Phrases with hemlock

  • a coniferous tree of the pine family, native to North America and Asia.

    Example

    The hemlock tree is often used for lumber and paper production.

  • hemlock woolly adelgid

    an insect that infests and kills hemlock trees.

    Example

    The hemlock woolly adelgid has caused significant damage to hemlock forests in the eastern United States.

  • an organization that advocates for the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

    Example

    The Hemlock Society was founded in 1980 to promote end-of-life choices for terminally ill patients.

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Summary: hemlock in Brief

Hemlock [ˈhemlɒk] refers to two different poisonous plants. The European hemlock is a highly poisonous plant of the parsley family, while the North American hemlock is a poisonous plant of the carrot family. Both plants have small white flowers and are highly toxic. The hemlock plant was used by the ancient Greeks for capital punishment, and it is still used today as a deadly substance. Hemlock trees are also a type of coniferous tree used for lumber and paper production.