feverfew

American

[fee-ver-fyoo] / ˈfi vərˌfju /

noun

a bushy composite plant, Chrysanthemum parthenium, bearing small white flowers, formerly used as a remedy for fever and headache.

feverfew British

/ ˈfiːvəˌfjuː /

noun

a bushy European strong-scented perennial plant, Tanacetum parthenium , with white flower heads, formerly used medicinally: family Asteraceae (composites)

"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

Etymology

Origin of feverfew

1400–50; late Middle English < Anglo-French *feverfue (replacing early Middle English fever fugie, Old English feferfuge ) < Late Latin febrifugia. See febrifuge

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I treat my apartment, each week, to a bunch of feverfew or ranunculus, or whatever's in season, and I think a bouquet makes an old-fashioned, charming gift.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2022

I tried an herbal remedy, a capsule that contained feverfew, butterbur and something else.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 18, 2021

Beyond dill and cilantro, favorite herb companions include tansy, feverfew, lavender and thyme.

From New York Times • Feb. 17, 2021

These handy homeopathic lozenges, developed by a physician, are chock full of natural anti-inflammatories such as ginger, feverfew, Chinese skullcap, dandelion and others.

From US News • Dec. 18, 2014

"Zinnias and marigolds and wild feverfew," said Maggie.

From "Sarah, Plain and Tall" by Patricia MacLachlan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023