centaury

American  

[sen-taw-ree] / ˈsɛn tɔ ri /

noun

centauries plural

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Centaurium, of the gentian family, having clusters of small pink or red flowers.

2. any of several other plants of the genera Centaurea and Sabatia.

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centaury British  

/ ˈsɛntɔːrɪ /

noun

1. any Eurasian plant of the genus Centaurium, esp C. erythraea, having purplish-pink flowers and formerly believed to have medicinal properties: family Gentianaceae

2. any plant of the genus Centaurea, which includes the cornflower and knapweed: family Compositae (composites)

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• centauries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of centaury

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English centaurie, from Medieval Latin centauria, apparently from Greek kentaúria, neuter plural (taken in Medieval Latin as feminine singular) of kentaúrion, noun use of neuter of kentaúrios (adjective), equivalent to kéntaur(os) “centaur” + -ios adjective suffix; said to be in reference to the centaur Chiron, known for his knowledge of medicinal plants; see Chiron ( def. )

Example Sentences

The CENTAURY, Centaurea, is a very pretty class of annuals which grows, and blossoms freely in this country.

From Flowers and Flower-Gardens With an Appendix of Practical Instructions and Useful Information Respecting the Anglo-Indian Flower-Garden by Richardson, David Lester