eyebright

[ ahy-brahyt ]

/ ˈaɪˌbraɪt /

noun

any of various plants belonging to the genus Euphrasia, of the figwort family, as E. officinalis of Europe, formerly used for treating diseases of the eye.

the scarlet pimpernel.See under pimpernel.

Nearby words

eyebath, eyebeam, eyeblack, eyeblink, eyebolt, eyebright, eyebrow, eyebrow pencil, eyecup, eyed, eyedness

Origin of eyebright

First recorded in 1525–35; eye + bright

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

Examples from the Web for eyebright

It feeds, in September, on the seeds of eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis).
The Moths of the British Isles, Second Series|Richard South
"Oh, I can't go to bed; I must go back to the island," Eyebright pleaded.
Eyebright|Susan Coolidge
Eyebright had plenty of time to recall her dread of Mrs. Joyce as they drove up from the station.
Eyebright|Susan Coolidge
Eyebright's imagination was fired by this description, and she besought papa to take her there at once.
Eyebright|Susan Coolidge

Eyebright took the basket on her arm, and ran down to the shore in high spirits.
Eyebright|Susan Coolidge

British Dictionary definitions for eyebright

eyebright

/ (ˈaɪˌbraɪt) /

noun

any scrophulariaceous annual plant of the genus Euphrasia, esp E. nemorosa, having small white-and-purple two-lipped flowers: formerly used in the treatment of eye disordersAlso called: euphrasy

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