haemony

/ˈhiːməni/

Etymology

Coined by John Milton for the play Comus around 1634 (see quotation below). Various scholars suggest that the word comes from a classical source such as Latin Haemonia (“Thessaly”, a place associated with magic), Ancient Greek αἷμα (haîma, “blood”), or Ancient Greek αἵμων (haímōn, “skillful”).

noun

  1. A magical plant mentioned by John Milton, said to be good against enchantments.“He call’d it Hæmony, and gave it me / And bad me keepe it as of ſoveraine uſe / Gainſt all inchantments, mildew blaſt, or damp / Or gaſtly furies apparition; / […]”