yew definition

<botany> A type of tree found in temperate climates, different families (taxus) in North & South America, China, Africa and Europe.

Taxol and taxotere - promising investigational chemotherapeutic agents, are both derived from this family of trees. Although they are now in clinical use, their high expense prevent many from using them. Their regular use is not recommended outside investigational protocols in developing countries.

(16 Dec 1997)