scabious

¹

[skey-bee-uhs]

adjective

1. covered with or consisting of scabs; scabby.

2. pertaining to or of the nature of scabies.

scabious

²

[skey-bee-uhs]

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.

scabious

¹

/ 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

scabious

²

/ ˈskeɪbɪəs /

adjective

1. having or covered with scabs

2. of, relating to, or resembling scabies

Word History and Origins

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); scabies, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of scabious¹

C14: from Medieval Latin scabiōsa herba the scabies plant, referring to its use in treating scabies

Origin of scabious²

C17: from Latin scabiōsus, from _scabies

Example Sentences

The butterfly depends on a network of marshy grassland habitat, usually grazed by cattle, with a plentiful supply of the devil's-bit scabious plant - its favourite food.

Read more on BBC

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.

Read more on New York Times

Buglife Cymru said it discovered a "strong population" of small scabious mining bees at St Julian's Park local nature reserve last week.

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Think swathes of catmint, field scabious and hyssop.

Read more on The Guardian

The others are the shining guest ant, dark bordered beauty moth, small scabious mining bee, northern silver-stiletto fly and pine hoverfly.

Read more on BBC