agrimony

American  

[ag-ruh-moh-nee] / ˈæg rəˌmoʊ ni /

noun

plural

agrimonies

1. any plant belonging to the genus Agrimonia, of the rose family, especially the perennial A. eupatoria, having pinnate leaves and small, yellow flowers.

2. any of certain other plants, as hemp agrimony or bur marigold.

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agrimony British  

/ ˈæɡrɪmənɪ /

noun

1. any of various N temperate rosaceous plants of the genus Agrimonia, which have compound leaves, long spikes of small yellow flowers, and bristly burlike fruits

2. any of several other plants, such as hemp agrimony

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Etymology

Origin of agrimony

1350–1400; late Middle English < Latin agrimōnia, metathetic variant (perhaps by association with ager field) of argemōnia < Greek argemṓnē poppy; replacing Middle English egremoyne < Middle French aigremoine < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

"I was pressed to think of a description less likely to help me identify agrimony when I saw it."

From The Guardian • May 31, 2012

The banks were covered with trees, and tall reeds, and masses of purple willow herb, and agrimony, and yellow ragwort, which were reflected in the dark waters of quiet pools.

From The Madcap of the School by Salmon, Balliol

Their look was sure death, but they could be poisoned by a draught compounded of agrimony, dill and vervain.

From Masters of the Guild by Lamprey, L.

The only trace of affectation, indeed, is in a certain dabbling, in earlier work, with names of jewels such as "chrysoprase," and plants such as "euphrasy" and "agrimony."

From Essays by Benson, Arthur Christopher

By the hedge the agrimony frequently lifts its long stem, surrounded with small yellow petals.

From Nature Near London by Jefferies, Richard