scabious

¹ American  

[skey-bee-uhs] / ˈskeɪ bi əs /

adjective

1. covered with or consisting of scabs; scabby.

2. pertaining to or of the nature of scabies.

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scabious ² American  

[skey-bee-uhs] / ˈskeɪ bi əs /

noun

1. Also called pincushion flower.  any of various plants belonging to the genus Scabiosa, of the teasel family, having opposite leaves and often showy flower heads in a variety of colors.

2. any of various similar or related plants.

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scabious ¹ British  

/ ˈskeɪbɪəs /

noun

1. any plant of the genus Scabiosa, esp S. atropurpurea, of the Mediterranean region, having blue, red, or whitish dome-shaped flower heads: family Dipsacaceae

2. any of various similar plants of the related genus Knautia

3. a similar and related Eurasian marsh plant, Succisa pratensis

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scabious ² British  

/ ˈskeɪbɪəs /

adjective

1. having or covered with scabs

2. of, relating to, or resembling scabies

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Etymology

Origin of scabious¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; scabi(es) + -ous

Origin of scabious²

1350–1400; Middle English scabiose < Medieval Latin scabiōsa ( herba ) scabies-curing (herb); see scabies, -ous

Example Sentences

In addition to fulfilling custom orders, they offer a single fresh arrangement each week, available in three sizes, consisting of a lively mix of blooms such as sunflowers, delphiniums, dahlias, agapanthus and scabious.

From New York Times • Nov. 18, 2020

By recreating the glades which once existed in dense forest cover, they provide home for up to 120 flowering species, among them the devil's-bit scabious, globeflower, great burnet, lady's-mantle, oxeye daisy, pignut and wood crane's-bill.

From The Guardian • Dec. 13, 2012

It is gregarious, feeding under protection of a web upon the leaves of plantain, devils-bit scabious, and some other plants.

From British Butterfiles Figures and Descriptions of Every Native Species by Coleman, W. S. (William Stephen)

This was a part of the day's work that appealed to her more than the cookery, so she lingered for some time making an artistic combination of poppies, grasses, and sweet scabious.

From A Fourth Form Friendship A School Story by Brazil, Angela

The friends of one's childhood, purple scabious and yellow toad-flax, seemed to nod their heads in welcome; and the hedgerows were festive with garlands of bryony and Old Man's Beard.

From Leaves from a Field Note-Book by Morgan, John Hartman