Hemlock (Noun)
Meaning 1
Large branching biennial herb native to Eurasia and Africa and adventive in North America having large fernlike leaves and white flowers; usually found in damp habitats; all parts extremely poisonous.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
Soft coarse splintery wood of a hemlock tree especially the western hemlock.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The carpenter carefully selected a plank of hemlock for the outdoor deck, knowing its durability would withstand the elements.
- Hemlock was the preferred choice for the construction of the rustic cabin, its coarse texture adding to the natural ambiance.
- The woodworker struggled to smooth out the splintery surface of the hemlock, but the end result was well worth the effort.
- The old-growth hemlock trees were harvested for their valuable timber, which was highly prized for its strength and resistance to rot.
- The furniture maker chose hemlock for the frame of the wooden chair, its softness making it easy to shape and carve.
Meaning 3
Poisonous drug derived from an Eurasian plant of the genus Conium; "Socrates refused to flee and died by drinking hemlock".
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.