MANDRAKE Man"drake, n. Etym: [AS. mandragora, L. mandragoras, fr. Gr. mandragore.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A low plant (Mandragora officinarum) of the Nightshade family, having a fleshy root, often forked, and supposed to resemble a man. It was therefore supposed to have animal life, and to cry out when pulled up. All parts of the plant are strongly narcotic. It is found in the Mediterranean region. And shrieks like mandrakes, torn out of the earth, That living mortals, hearing them, run mad. Shak.
Note: The mandrake of Scripture was perhaps the same plant, but proof is wanting.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: The May apple (Podophyllum peltatum). See May apple under May, and Podophyllum. [U.S.]
MANDREL Man"drel, n. Etym: [F. mandrin, prob. through (assumed) LL. mamphurinum, fr. L. mamphur a bow drill.] (Mach.) (a) A bar of metal inserted in the work to shape it, or to hold it, as in a lathe, during the process of manufacture; an arbor. (b) The live spindle of a turning lathe; the revolving arbor of a circular saw. It is usually driven by a pulley. [Written also manderil.] Mandrel lathe, a lathe with a stout spindle, adapted esp. for chucking, as for forming hollow articles by turning or spinning.
MANDRILL Man"drill, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mandrille, Sp. mandril, It. mandrillo; prob. the native name in Africa. Cf. Drill an ape.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: a large West African baboon (Cynocephalus, or Papio, mormon). The adult male has, on the sides of the nose, large, naked, grooved swellings, conspicuously striped with blue and red.
MANDUCABLE
Man"du*ca*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. manducable. See Manducate.]