reseda

[ri-see-duh]

noun

1. a grayish green.

adjective

1. grayish green, like the flowers of the mignonette.

reseda

/ ˈrɛsɪdə /

noun

1. any plant of the European genus Reseda , including mignonette and dyer's rocket, which has small spikes of grey-green flowers

adjective

1. of a greyish-green colour; mignonette

Word History and Origins

Origin of reseda¹

1745–55 as name of plant genus including mignonette; 1870–75 for current senses; < New Latin: genus name, Latin resēda (according to Pliny, literally, heal! (imperative of resēdāre to heal, assuage), referring to the plant's use in treating tumors)

Word History and Origins

Origin of reseda¹

C18: from New Latin, from Latin: heal! from resēdāre to assuage, from _re- + sēdāre to soothe; see _sedate ²

Example Sentences

Under barn eaves decked with reseda luteola, a stalk grown here and used to make natural yellow dye, Treiber grabbed a mic to welcome the prom guests.

From Seattle Times

In the mornings, the sky was almost Earth blue and rose to gilt and vermilion and tones of sienna and reseda green.

From The Verge

Eva threatens me with her parasol, and laughs, hiding her rosy face in a bouquet of reseda.

From Project Gutenberg

It is as bad as it was when I was choosing a gown for my first party; I lay awake nearly a whole night trying to decide between a reseda and a pink-violet.

From Project Gutenberg

The reseda, or mignonette, is planted from seed, as here in England.

From Project Gutenberg