southernwood

American  

[suhth-ern-wood] / ˈsʌð ərnˌwʊd /

noun

1. a woody-stemmed wormwood, Artemisia abrotanum, of southern Europe, having aromatic, finely dissected leaves.

---

southernwood British  

/ ˈsʌðənˌwʊd /

noun

1. Also called: old man.   lad's love.  an aromatic shrubby wormwood, Artemisia abrotanum, of S Europe, having finely dissected leaves and small drooping heads of yellowish flowers

---

Etymology

Origin of southernwood

before 1000; Middle English southernwode, Old English sūtherne wudu. See southern, wood ¹

Example Sentences

Sweet-briar and southernwood, jasmine, pink, and rose have long been yielding their evening sacrifice of incense: this new scent is neither of shrub nor flower; it is—I know it well—it is Mr. Rochester’s cigar.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

For the city of a day sprigs of southernwood, lavender, thyme, or marjoram make charming little trees.

From Wings and the Child or, the Building of Magic Cities by Nesbit, E. (Edith)

Pitt opened a small gate, and came up to the house, through an army of balsams, hollyhocks, roses, and honeysuckles, and balm and southernwood.

From A Red Wallflower by Warner, Susan

Beth had old-fashioned, fragrant flowers in her garden,—sweet peas and mignonette, larkspur, pinks, pansies, and southernwood, with chickweed for the bird, and catnip for the pussies.

From Little Women or Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Alcott, Louisa May

In odd corners there are sure to be a few specimens of southernwood, mugwort, and other herbs; not for use, but from adherence to the old customs.

From The Toilers of the Field by Jefferies, Richard