nicotiana

[ni-koh-shee-ey-nuh, -an-uh, -ah-nuh]

noun

any plant belonging to the genus Nicotiana, of the nightshade family, especially one grown for its ornamental value, as flowering tobacco.

Origin of nicotiana

1590–1600; < New Latin (herba) nicotiana Nicot's (herb) (after Jacques Nicot (1530–1600), said to have introduced tobacco into France); see -ian, -a²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for nicotiana

Historical Examples of nicotiana

There are many species of Nicotiana, some of which are very ornamental.
Botany for Ladies
Jane Loudon
Fig. 97 represents two flowers of Nicotiana affinis, one of which has been cut.
The Nursery Book
Liberty Hyde Bailey
The tobacco of commerce (Nicotiana tabacum) was introduced from the West Indies.
Myths of the Cherokee
James Mooney
There are no elaborate mummeries about our service in the temple of Nicotiana.
The Wit and Humor of America, Volume VII. (of X.)
Various
Some of the giant Nicotianas are excellent subjects for temporary screens; so is tobacco, which is also a Nicotiana.
The Practical Garden-Book
C. E. Hunn

British Dictionary definitions for nicotiana

nicotiana

noun

any solanaceous plant of the American and Australian genus Nicotiana, such as tobacco, having white, yellow, or purple fragrant flowers

Word Origin for nicotiana

C16: see nicotine

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