Bot. Formerly also in 5–6 aristologia; and in Eng. form in 6 aristology, 6–7 aristoloch, -loche, 6–8 aristolochy. [a. med.L. aristologia (also Sp. and It.), and of F. aristoloche, 16th c. aristolochie, ad. L. aristolochīa, a. Gr. ἀριστολόχεια, -ία, f. ἀριστόλοχος well-born (from its repute in promoting childbirth).] A genus of shrubs, of which one species, A. Clēmatītis, the Common Birthwort, is found in Britain as an old escape from cultivation.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. xiv. (1495), 612. Aristologia is a full medycynall herbe though it be bytter.
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. Chirurg. With the rote of Arystologie, or of Affodylles.
1551. Turner, Herbal (1568), 43. The seconde kynd of aristolochia.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 312. Sarrasines herbe or Astroloche … Long Aristoloche, Rounde Aristoloche. Ibid., 314. The long and rounde Aristolochias growe plentifully in Spayne … called in English Aristologia and of some Byrthwort.
1572. Mascal, Govt. Cattle (1627), 128. Of nettle seed, of Aristolochy, of ech 2 drams.
1585. Lloyd, Treas. Health, D iii. Aristologye caryed upon a man cureth hym.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 226. All the sort of these Aristolochies yeeld an aromaticall odour.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 269. Aristoloch, otherwise called round Hartwort. Ibid., Serpents, 775. Long Aristolochie or Hartwort.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., Aristolochy … is proper to bring away Women’s After-burden in their Lying-in.
1854. Badham, Halieut., 21. Pliny records that all aristolochias yield an aromatic smell.
