dittany

American  

[dit-n-ee] / ˈdɪt n i /

noun

plural

dittanies

1. a Cretan plant, Origanum dictamnus, of the mint family, having spikes of purple flowers and formerly believed to have medicinal qualities.

2. Also called stone mint.  a North American plant, Cunila origanoides, of the mint family, bearing clusters of purplish flowers.

3. gas plant.

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dittany British  

/ ˈdɪtənɪ /

noun

1. an aromatic Cretan plant, Origanum dictamnus , with pink drooping flowers: formerly credited with great medicinal properties: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

2. Also called: stone mint.  a North American labiate plant, Cunila origanoides, with clusters of purplish flowers

3. another name for gas plant

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Etymology

Origin of dittany

1350–1400; Middle English ditane, detany < Old French dita ( i ) n < Latin dictamnus, dictamnum < Greek díktamnon, perhaps akin to Díktē, a mountain in Crete where the herb abounded

Example Sentences

“You need the hospital wing. There may be a certain amount of scarring, but if you take dittany immediately we might avoid even that...Come...”

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

She was supposed to drink dittany tea sweetened with molasses, but it tasted too horrible.

From "Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson

They were wincing as they dabbed essence of dittany onto their many injuries.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Where the dittany and spice-wood cannot be obtained, other aromatics, as cinnamon and cloves, are good substitutes.

From Domestic Cookery, Useful Receipts, and Hints to Young Housekeepers by Lea, Elizabeth E. (Elizabeth Ellicott)

Among the most popular plants, roots, and other natural products were snakeroot, dittany, senna, alum, sweet gums, and tobacco.

From Medicine in Virginia, 1607-1699 by Hughes, Thomas Proctor