calendula

American  

[kuh-len-juh-luh] / kəˈlɛn dʒə lə /

noun

1. Also called pot marigold.  a composite plant, Calendula officinalis, widely cultivated for its showy, many-rayed orange or yellow flower heads.

2. the dried florets of this plant, sometimes used medicinally.

3. any other plant of the genus Calendula.

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calendula British  

/ kæˈlɛndjʊlə /

noun

1. any Eurasian plant of the genus Calendula, esp the pot marigold, having orange-and-yellow rayed flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. the dried flowers of the pot marigold, formerly used medicinally and for seasoning

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Etymology

Origin of calendula

1870–75; < Medieval Latin, equivalent to Latin calend ( ae ) calends + -ula -ule

Compare meaning

How does calendula compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• calendula vs. marigold

Example Sentences

For topical preparations, Extracts are incorporated into many skin products: soaps, creams, ointments, salves, and lotions with various concentrations of calendula.

From National Geographic • Feb. 7, 2024

Like clockwork they start grabbing from their stash — mugwort, calendula, oat straw, chrysanthemum — a blend meant to essentially chill us out.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2023

Aside from vegetables, they also grow medicinal herbs, some of which include camomile, salvia, calendula, lavender and epazote.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 3, 2022

It also has calendula and chamomile to calm the skin, and sandalwood and neroli give it a heavenly scent.

From New York Times • May 10, 2021

I built up the fire in the hearth, set my shoes and damp stockings to dry in front of it, and rubbed a calendula salve on my blisters.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson