n. [ L. helleborus, elleborus, Gr. &unr_;, &unr_;; cf. F. hellébore, ellébore. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Bot.) A genus of perennial herbs (Helleborus) of the Crowfoot family, mostly having powerfully cathartic and even poisonous qualities. Helleborus niger is the European black hellebore, or Christmas rose, blossoming in winter or earliest spring. Helleborus officinalis was the officinal hellebore of the ancients. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) Any plant of several species of the poisonous liliaceous genus Veratrum, especially Veratrum album and Veratrum viride, both called white hellebore. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A poisonous glucoside accompanying helleborin in several species of hellebore, and extracted as a white crystalline substance with a bittersweet taste. It has a strong action on the heart, resembling digitalin. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A poisonous glucoside found in several species of hellebore, and extracted as a white crystalline substance with a sharp tingling taste. It possesses the essential virtues of the plant; -- called also elleborin. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The practice or theory of using hellebore as a medicine. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;. ] A native of either ancient or modern Greece; a Greek. Brewer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to the Hellenes, or Greeks. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_;, &unr_;, fr. &unr_; the Greeks. ] Of or pertaining to the Hellenes, or inhabitants of Greece; Greek; Grecian. “The Hellenic forces.” Jowett (Thucyd. ). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The dialect, formed with slight variations from the Attic, which prevailed among Greek writers after the time of Alexander. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. Hellénisme. ] 1. A phrase or form of speech in accordance with genius and construction or idioms of the Greek language; a Grecism. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The type of character of the ancient Greeks, who aimed at culture, grace, and amenity, as the chief elements in human well-being and perfection. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. Helléniste. ] 1. One who affiliates with Greeks, or imitates Greek manners; esp., a person of Jewish extraction who used the Greek language as his mother tongue, as did the Jews of Asia Minor, Greece, Syria, and Egypt; distinguished from the Hebraists, or native Jews (Acts vi. 1). [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One skilled in the Greek language and literature; as, the critical Hellenist.