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pellitory

noun plural -ries
  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. pellitory of Spain a small Mediterranean plant, Anacyclus pyrethrum, the root of which contains an oil formerly used to relieve toothache: family Asteraceae (composites)
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Word Origin

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

Examples from the Web for pellitory

Historical Examples

  • You may boil in it Pellitory of the wall, Agrimony, or what herbs you please.

    The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight Opened

    Kenelm Digby

  • The Pellitory of the wall (Parietaria officinalis), has the male and female flowers on the same plant.

  • Pellitory, pel′i-tor-i, n. a genus of plants found most commonly on old walls and heaps of rubbish: the feverfew.

  • She picked a little piece of pellitory out of the breast-high wall in front of us.

    The Good Soldier

    Ford Madox Ford