centaury

[ sen-taw-ree ]

noun

, plural cen·tau·ries.

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.

centaury

/ 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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of centaury¹

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; Chiron ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of centaury¹

C14: ultimately from Greek Kentauros the Centaur; from the legend that Chiron the Centaur divulged its healing properties

Example Sentences

Lotions of the smaller centaury or of stavesacre, and pomatum mixed with mercurial ointment, are very efficacious.

From Project Gutenberg

Infusum centauri, L. From the flowering tops of common or lesser centaury (Erytha centaurium).

From Project Gutenberg

They are the yellow-flowered centaury, the mountain centaury, the star thistle and the rough centaury: the first predominates.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Farn recorded six or seven from Ryde in July, 1870; they were feeding on vine and centaury in a garden.

From Project Gutenberg

Centaury, common in our fields, enjoyed a very early reputation.

From Project Gutenberg