pellitory
- 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
- 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 for pellitory
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
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Examples from the Web for pellitory
Historical Examples of pellitory
You may boil in it Pellitory of the wall, Agrimony, or what herbs you please.
The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight OpenedKenelm Digby
The Pellitory of the wall (Parietaria officinalis), has the male and female flowers on the same plant.
Botany for LadiesJane Loudon
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 SoldierFord Madox Ford