Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CI-CU'TA, n. [L. cicuta; W. cegid; Fr. cigue; Arm. chagud. The Welsh is from ceg, a choking.]

A genus of plants containing three species, one European and two American. The European species is called popularly water hemlock. The name Cicuta is sometimes applied to Conium maculatum, or officinal hemlock. It was likewise one of the ancient names of a poison, now unknown, which was used in the execution of criminals.