mullein

or mul·len

[ muhl-uhn ]

noun

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Verbascum, of the figwort family, native to the Old World, especially V. thapsus, a tall plant with woolly leaves and a dense spike of yellow flowers.
2. any of several similar plants.

mullein

/ ˈmʌlɪn /

noun

1. any of various European herbaceous plants of the scrophulariaceous genus Verbascum, such as V. thapsus (common mullein or Aaron's rod), typically having tall spikes of yellow flowers and broad hairy leaves See also Aaron's rod

Word History and Origins

Origin of mullein¹

1325–75; Middle English moleine < Anglo-French, perhaps derivative of mol soft < Latin mollis

Word History and Origins

Origin of mullein¹

C15: from Old French moleine, probably from Old French mol soft, from Latin mollis

Example Sentences

Ain't no surer sign o' poor soil than a passel o' mullein stalks.

From Project Gutenberg

If I just had some mullein leaves now to make compresses with!

From Project Gutenberg

The mullein plant boiled in milk is liked by the patients; in watery infusion it is disagreeable, and the succus is still more so.

From Project Gutenberg

As much as possible, however, they were left to the mullein--a proceeding which was entirely satisfactory to themselves.

From Project Gutenberg

Val snatched a mullein leaf from the hill-side as she passed.

From Project Gutenberg