clary

[klair-ee]

noun, plural clar·ies.

any of several aromatic herbs of the genus Salvia, especially S. sclarea, having hairy, heart-shaped leaves and open clusters of lilac or blue flowers, used as a seasoning, a wine flavoring, and an ingredient in perfumes.

Origin of clary

before 1000; Middle English clare, sclari, Old English slarege < Medieval Latin sclareia

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

Examples from the Web for clary

Contemporary Examples of clary

Clary added: “The person most engaged was Baker [Mitchell].”
At This Creepy Libertarian Charter School, Kids Must Swear ‘to Be Obedient to Those in Authority’
ProPublica
October 15, 2014

Historical Examples of clary

Tell me, Clary, and tell me truly—Do you not continue to correspond with Mr. Lovelace?
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
I am loth to interrupt you, Clary; though you could more than once break in upon me.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
How often, Clary, must I forbid your unsisterly reflections?
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
So turning from me, she spoke with quickness, Whither now, Clary Harlowe?
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
But what is person, Clary, with one of your prudence, and your heart disengaged?
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for clary

clary

noun plural claries

any of several European plants of the genus Salvia, having aromatic leaves and blue flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

Word Origin for clary

C14: from earlier sclarreye, from Medieval Latin sclareia, of obscure 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