pellitory

British  

/ ˈpɛlɪtərɪ, -trɪ /

noun

1. any of various urticaceous plants of the S and W European genus Parietaria, esp P. diffusa ( pellitory-of-the-wall or wall pellitory ), that grow in crevices and have long narrow leaves and small pink flowers

2. a small Mediterranean plant, Anacyclus pyrethrum, the root of which contains an oil formerly used to relieve toothache: family Asteraceae (composites)

---

Etymology

Origin of pellitory

C16 peletre, from Old French piretre, from Latin pyrethrum, from Greek purethron, from pur fire, from the hot pungent taste of the root

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pellitory

Two years after the army's evacuation, the entire perimeter wall of the barracks was covered with more than twenty different species: among them, capers, snapdragons, lots of spreading pellitory, and several small ferns.

From Salon ● Mar. 22, 2020

If the heat of the skin diminishes, and if congestion appears to settle on the lungs, the drinks must be given warm, consisting of a decoction of borage leaves, mallows, marsh-mallow, and pellitory.

From On the cattle plague: or, Contagious typhus in horned cattle. Its history, origin, description, and treatment by Honor? Bourguignon

The root is the officinal pellitory, and is used as an irritant and sialogogue.

From The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary Section P and Q by Project Gutenberg

A small piece of the pellitory root will, by the flow of saliva it causes, afford relief.

From The Book of Household Management by Mrs. (Isabella Mary) Beeton

Yes, faith, she dwells in Sea-coal-lane,—did cure me, With sodden ale, and pellitory of the wall; Cost me but two-pence.

From The Alchemist by Ben Jonson

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---