gentian

[ jen-shuh n ]

/ ˈdʒɛn ʃən /

noun

any of several plants of the genera Gentiana, Gentianella, and Gentianopsis, having usually blue, or sometimes yellow, white, or red, flowers, as the fringed gentian of North America, or Gentiana lutea, of Europe.Compare gentian family.

any of various plants resembling the gentian.

the root of G. lutea, or a preparation of it, used as a tonic.

Nearby words

gent, gent., gentamicin, genteel, genteelism, gentian, gentian blue, gentian family, gentian violet, gentianaceous, gentianella

Origin of gentian

1350–1400; Middle English gencian < Latin gentiāna; said to be named after Gentius, an Illyrian king

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

Examples from the Web for gentian

Take three scruples each of mugwort, myrrh, gentian and pill.
The Works of Aristotle the Famous Philosopher|Anonymous
Modern physicians find one species of Gentian soporific and use it to procure sleep for the weary sufferer.
A Garden with House Attached|Sarah Warner Brooks
A little compound tincture of gentian and water may be used in place of the compound infusion of the British Pharmacopeia.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2|Various
Give an infusion of gentian, one ounce, and one to two ounces tincture of opium.
Riding and Driving|Edward L. Anderson

I do want that gentian dress got ready, but now I simply can't give it to her to do.'
Fraternity|John Galsworthy

British Dictionary definitions for gentian

gentian

/ (ˈdʒɛnʃən) /

noun

any gentianaceous plant of the genera Gentiana or Gentianella, having blue, yellow, white, or red showy flowers

the bitter-tasting dried rhizome and roots of Gentiana lutea (European or yellow gentian), which can be used as a tonic

any of several similar plants, such as the horse gentian

Word Origin for gentian

C14: from Latin gentiāna; perhaps named after Gentius, a second-century bc Illyrian king, reputedly the first to use it medicinally

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