arnica

[ahr-ni-kuh]

noun

any composite plant of the genus Arnica, having opposite leaves and yellow flower heads.
a tincture of the flowers of A. montana, of Europe, and other species of Arnica, formerly used as an external application in sprains and bruises.

Origin of arnica

1745–55; < New Latin < ?

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for arnica

Historical Examples of arnica

She spent the whole morning bathing and poulticing me, and rubbing me with arnica.
My Antonia
Willa Cather
Free applications of arnica or iodine will have an excellent effect.
Searchlights on Health: Light on Dark Corners
B.G. Jefferis
Oil of Arnica is an excellent application for inflamed Piles.
An Epitome of Homeopathic Healing Art
B. L. Hill
There was an atmosphere of arnica and dejection in the house when we got there.
At Good Old Siwash
George Fitch
My knee he bandaged with arnica, after bathing it a long while with warm water.
White Dandy; or, Master and I
Velma Caldwell Melville

British Dictionary definitions for arnica

arnica

noun

any N temperate or arctic plant of the genus Arnica, typically having yellow flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)
the tincture of the dried flower heads of any of these plants, esp A. montana, used in treating bruises

Word Origin for arnica

C18: from New Latin, of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for arnica

plant genus of the borage family, 1753, Modern Latin, of unknown origin. Klein suggests Arabic arnabiyah, a name of a type of plant, as the ultimate source.