Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Mustard?

\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}). Note: 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.