Defn: A poisonous alkaloid found in the unripe seeds of the laburnum.
LABURNUM
La*bur"num, n. Etym: [L.] (Bot.)
Defn: A small leguminous tree (Cytisus Laburnum), native of the Alps. The plant is reputed to be poisonous, esp. the bark and seeds. It has handsome racemes of yellow blossoms.
Note: Scotch laburnum (Cytisus alpinus) is similar, but has smooth leaves; purple laburnum is C. purpureus.
LABYRINTH Lab"y*rinth, n. Etym: [L. labyrinthus, Gr. laby`rinthos: cf. F. labyrinthe.]
1. An edifice or place full of intricate passageways which render it difficult to find the way from the interior to the entrance; as, the Egyptian and Cretan labyrinths.
2. Any intricate or involved inclosure; especially, an ornamental maze or inclosure in a park or garden.
3. Any object or arrangement of an intricate or involved form, or having a very complicated nature. The serpent . . . fast sleeping soon he found, In labyrinth of many a round self-rolled. Milton. The labyrinth of the mind. Tennyson.
4. An inextricable or bewildering difficulty. I' the maze and winding labyrinths o' the world. Denham.
5. (Anat.)