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

eleanor of aquitaine, eleanor of castile, eleanor of provence, eleatic, eleazar, elecampane, elect, elect., electable, elected, election

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