Pleu"ri*sy (?), n. [F.
pleurésie, L. pleurisis, pleuritis, Gr
pleyri^tis (sc. no`sos), fr. pleyra`
rib, side.] (Med.) An inflammation of the pleura, usually
accompanied with fever, pain, difficult respiration, and cough, and
with exudation into the pleural cavity.
Pleurisy root. (Bot.) (a)
The large tuberous root of a kind of milkweed (Asclepias
tuberosa) which is used as a remedy for pleuritic and other
diseases. (b) The plant itself, which has
deep orange-colored flowers; -- called also butterfly
weed.