feverfew

[ fee-ver-fyoo ]

noun

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

feverfew

/ ˈfiːvəˌfjuː /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of feverfew¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of feverfew¹

Old English feferfuge , from Late Latin febrifugia , from Latin febris fever + fugāre to put to flight

Example Sentences

They sat down on the sour stony land among the rag-wort and teazles and feverfew.

From Project Gutenberg

When she comes out of her bath, give her an ounce of syrup of feverfew with a drachm of dog's tooth (mithridate).

From Project Gutenberg

If she be of full habit of body open a vein, after preparing her with syrup of betony, calamint, hyssop and feverfew.

From Project Gutenberg

Pellitory, pel′i-tor-i, n. a genus of plants found most commonly on old walls and heaps of rubbish: the feverfew.

From Project Gutenberg

Feverfew is said to be "good for such as be melancholike, sad, pensive, and without speech."

From Project Gutenberg