statice

[stat-is, -uh-see]

noun

any of various plants belonging to the genus Limonium, of the leadwort family, having clusters of variously colored flowers that retain their color when dried.

Origin of statice

1725–35; < New Latin (originally a genus name), Latin < Greek statikḗ an astringent herb, noun use of feminine of statikós astringent, literally, causing to stand; see static

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for statice

Historical Examples of statice

Prickly forms of Statice and Astragalus cover the dry hills.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7
Various
The pedicels of all the species of the Sea Lavender, particularly of Statice arborea, are often mistaken for the flowers.
Botany for Ladies
Jane Loudon
The commonest species (Statice limonium) may be found principally on muddy shores.
The Sea Shore
William S. Furneaux
It is a mass of Anemone japonica alba with Statice latifolia round it.
A Year in a Lancashire Garden
Henry Arthur Bright

British Dictionary definitions for statice

statice

noun

a plant name formerly held to include both Armeria (thrift) and Limonium (sea lavender). The gardener's statice comprises various species of the latter, esp those whose flowers can be dried and kept: family PlumbaginaceaeSee thrift, sea lavender

Word Origin for statice

Latin: thrift, from Greek statikē, from statikos astringent (from a medicinal use of thrift)

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