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lantana

[lan-tan-uh]
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noun
  1. any of numerous chiefly tropical plants belonging to the genus Lantana, of the verbena family, certain species of which, as L. camara, are cultivated for their aromatic flowers of yellow and orange or blue and violet.
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Origin of lantana

1785–95; < New Latin < dialectal Italian lantana wayfaring tree
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for lantana

Historical Examples

  • In creepers, bignonia and lantana will hold their own under difficulties perhaps as well as any that can be found.

    Three Elephant Power

    Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson

  • I have been told that the cortex of our lantana, or wayfaring shrub, will make as good bird-lime as the best.

  • The train stops by the lake and we gather wild Lantana and many a new flower during the few minutes' stay.

    Under the Southern Cross

    Elizabeth Robins

  • The whole slope, for half a mile, was covered with a dense scrub of Lantana bushes.

    Concerning Animals and Other Matters

    E.H. Aitken, (AKA Edward Hamilton)

British Dictionary definitions for lantana

lantana

noun
  1. any verbenaceous shrub or herbaceous plant of the tropical American genus Lantana, esp L. camara, having spikes or umbels of yellow or orange flowers. It has been widely introduced and is regarded as a troublesome weed in some places
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Word Origin

C18: New Latin, from Italian dialect lantana wayfaring tree
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