Dictionary:

sabadilla

  (săb'ə-dĭl'ə, -dē'ə)

1. A Mexican and Central American plant (Schoenocaulon officinale) of the lily family, having very long, densely flowered spikelike racemes, straplike perianth segments, and brown seeds that are rich in veratrine.
2. The seeds of this plant, used in insecticides and in some medicinal preparations.

[Spanish cebadilla, diminutive of cebada, barley, from Latin cibātus, from past participle of cibāre, to feed, from cibus, food.]

A natural contact insecticide made from the powdered seeds of a Mexican plant. In high doses it is toxic to bees, and sabadilla dust can cause an allergic reaction in humans.