Astragalus > define

noun

• Large genus of annual or perennial herbs or shrubs of north temperate regions; largest genus in the family Leguminosae.
  • synonyms: genus Astragalus
• The bone in the ankle that articulates with the leg bones to form the ankle joint.
  • synonyms: anklebone, astragal, talus

• (n.) A genus of papilionaceous plants, of the tribe Galegeae, containing numerous species, two of which are called, in English, milk vetch and licorice vetch. Gum tragacanth is obtained from different oriental species, particularly the A. gummifer and A. verus.
• (n.) The ankle bone or hock bone; the bone of the tarsus which articulates with the tibia at the ankle.
• (n.) See Astragal, 1.