elecampane

[ el-i-kam-peyn ]

/ ˌɛl ɪ kæmˈpeɪn /

noun

a composite weed, Inula helenium, naturalized in North America, having large yellow flowers and aromatic leaves and root.

Nearby words

Origin of elecampane

1350–1400; Middle English, equivalent to Old English ele(ne), eolone (metathetic alteration of Medieval Latin enula, Latin inula elecampane) + Middle English campane < Medieval Latin campāna, equivalent to camp(us) field + -āna, feminine of -ānus -ane, -an

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for elecampane

In the marsh she knew the Harvester was reaping queen-of-the-meadow, and around the high borders, elecampane and burdock.
The Harvester|Gene Stratton Porter
The Elecampane (I. Helenium) is an imposing, robust-growing species, having large, broad leaves a foot or more in length.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 433, April 19, 1884|Various
Description of Root — Elecampane has a large, long, branching root, pale yellow on the outside and whitish and fleshy within.
Ginseng and Other Medicinal Plants|A. R. (Arthur Robert) Harding
A peculiar starch-like substance, first obtained by Rose from the root of Inula Helenium or elecampane.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley

Elecampane, now known as the sweetmeat of childhood, was esteemed for ages in the domestic herbal.
Nooks and Corners of English Life, Past and Present|John Timbs

British Dictionary definitions for elecampane

elecampane

/ (ˌɛlɪkæmˈpeɪn) /

noun

a perennial flowering plant, Inula helenium, of Europe, Asia, and North America having large hairy leaves and narrow yellow petals: family Asteraceae (composites)

Word Origin for elecampane

C16: from Medieval Latin enula campãna, from enula (from Greek helenion) + campãnus of the field

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