Be'zoar. n.s. [from pa, against, and zabar, poison, Persick.] A medicinal stone, formerly in high esteem as an antidote, and brought from the East Indies, where it is said to be found in the dung of an animal of the goat kind, called pazan; the stone being formed in its belly, and growing to the size of an acorn, and sometimes to that of a pigeon's egg. Were the real virtues of this stone answereable to its reputed ones, it were doubtless a panacea. Indeed its rarity, and the peculiar manner of its formation, which is now supposed to be fabulous, have perhaps contributed as much to its reputation as its intrinsick worth. At present, it begins to be discarded in the practice of medicine, as of no efficacy at all. There are also some occidental bezoars brought from Peru, which are reckoned inferiour to the oriental. The name of this stone is also applied to several chymical compositions, designed for antidotes, or counter-poisons; as mineral, solar, and jovial bezoars. Savary. Chambers.
Bezoar
View Scan · View Transcription · from page 240