vulnerary
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
noun
Etymology
Origin of vulnerary
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin vulnerārius, equivalent to vulner- (stem of vulnus ) “a wound” + -ārius adjective suffix; see -ary
Explanation
In the old days, anything described as vulnerary had healing or medicinal properties, like a vulnerary tea you might drink to help your upset stomach. The old-fashioned word vulnerary can be used as a noun or an adjective to describe plants that are used to heal wounds or treat illnesses. Calendula flowers are sometimes used as a vulnerary, applied to the skin to soothe itchy rashes, and so are herbs like calendula, peppermint, and lavender. Vulnerary shares a root with vulnerable, the Latin vulnus, or "wound."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The urine of unborn babies is an excellent vulnerary.
From Time Magazine Archive
They are recommended as vulnerary medicines, and in all cases where mild astringents or corroborants are proper.
From The Botanist's Companion, Volume II by Salisbury, William
Agrimony was at one time included in the London Materia Medica as a vulnerary herb.
From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by Fernie, William Thomas
It has been principally celebrated as a vulnerary, whence its name; and in gargarisms for aphthae and inflammations of the fauces.
From The Botanist's Companion, Volume II by Salisbury, William
It was formerly applied to raw indolent ulcers as a glutinous astringent, and most useful vulnerary.
From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by Fernie, William Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
