Defn: A genus of fleshy-leaved plants, of which the houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum) is the commonest species.
According to astrologers, Houseleek is a herb of Jupiter.
Miraldus is stated to have declared that this lowly plant preserves what it grows upon from fire and lightning; and Sir Thomas Browne has left on record his belief that Houseleek is a "defensative from lightning.
In olden times there existed a belief that Houseleekwould suppress in children fevers given to them by witchcraft or sorcery.
Charlemagne ordered theHouseleek to be planted on the roof of every house on this account.
According to Albertus Magnus, he who rubbed his hands with the juice of the Houseleek would be insensible to pain when taking red-hot iron in his hands.
In Italy, on Midsummer Eve, rustic maidens employ Houseleek for divining purposes.
In Tuscany, they pound the Houseleek the first Friday after the birth of an infant, and administer to it the expressed juice, which is thought to preserve the babe from convulsions, and to ensure it a long life.
Upon some roofs the houseleek still grows, though it is now often torn away as injurious.
The houseleek is still used for the cure of wounds and cuts.
And Macer writes of houseleek thus: Men say that houseleek hath so soveraign a might, Who carries but that, no Scorpion can him bite.
Percival would have been angry had he been called upon to feel the poetry which Bertie had found only a few days before in the bit of houseleek growing on that arid waste of tiles.
It is true that in that dim light the houseleek was only a dusky little knob.
But those who desire to soften and improve the skin, may use an infusion of horseradish in milk, or the expressed juice of houseleek mixed with cream, which will be useful and inoffensive.
Houseleek used by itself, or mixed with cream, will afford quick relief in external inflammations.
Purslain, Nightshade, Houseleek or Sengreen, Duckmeat, and most other herbs that are very cold.
The same also with the juice of Houseleek is profitable against all inflammations and breakings out of the skin, and against burnings and scaldings by fire and water.
The above list will hopefully give you a few useful examples demonstrating the appropriate usage of "houseleek" in a variety of sentences. We hope that you will now be able to make sentences using this word.
