tragacanth Thorny shrubs of the genus Astragalus, especially A. gummifer, of the Middle East, yielding a gum used in pharmacy, adhesives, and textile printing. trephine Surgical instrument with circular edges, used to cut out disks of bone from the skull. trillium (birthroot, wake-robin) Plants of genus Trillium, of North America, the Himalaya Mountains, and eastern Asia, having a cluster of three leaves and a variously colored, three-petaled flower. trional Contains three ethyls. Similar to sulphonal, used as a hypnotic. turbinated Shaped like a top. A small curved bone in the lateral wall of the nasal passage. tulle Fine, starched net of silk, rayon, or nylon, used for veils, tutus, or gowns. turmeric (tumeric) East Indian perennial herb (Curcuma longa) of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) used as a coloring agent, a condiment, or a stimulant. Yellow to reddish brown dyestuff obtained from turmeric. typhus (prison fever, ship fever, typhus fever.) Infectious diseases caused by rickettsia bacteria, especially those transmitted by fleas, lice, or mites. Symptoms are severe headache, sustained high fever, depression, delirium, and the eruption of red rashes on the skin. ulster Loose, long overcoat made of rugged fabric. umbrage Offense; resentment. Affording shade. Vague or indistinct indication; a hint. Uva Ursi Common bearberry; a procumbent (trailing along the ground but not rooting) evergreen shrub 10-30 cm high with red berries. Valerianate (Valerianic) One of three metameric acids; the typical one (called also inactive valeric acid), C4H9CO2H, is from valerian root and other sources; it is a corrosive, oily liquid, with a strong acid taste, and the odor of old cheese. valvular Resembling or functioning as a valve. Relating to a valve, especially of the heart. varioloid Mild form of smallpox occurring in people previously vaccinated or who previously had the disease. vegetable marrow Squash plants with elongated fruit and smooth dark green skin and whitish flesh. veratrum Poisonous alkaloid from the root hellebore (Veratrum) and from sabadilla seeds. Used externally to treat neuralgia and rheumatism. verdigris Blue or green powder, basic cupric acetate used as a paint pigment and fungicide. A green patina of copper sulfate or copper chloride on copper, brass, and bronze exposed to air or seawater. vermifuge Medicine that expels intestinal worms. vervain (verbena) New World plants of the genus Verbena, especially those with showy spikes of variously colored flowers. Vichy water Sparkling mineral water from springs at Vichy, France or water similar to it. vis-a-vis One that is face to face with or opposite to another. vitiate Reduce the value; impair the quality; corrupt morally; debase; make ineffective; invalidate. voile Light, plain-weave, sheer fabric of cotton, rayon, silk, or wool used for dresses and curtains.