SCABIOUS

scabious, scabiosa

(noun) any of various plants of the genus Scabiosa

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Adjective

scabious (comparative more scabious, superlative most scabious)

having scabs

of or pertaining to scabies

Etymology 2

These plants were once used to treat scabies.

Noun

scabious (plural scabiouses)

Any of various herbaceous plants of the genus Scabiosa.

Source: Wiktionary


Sca"bi*ous, a. Etym: [L. scabious, from scabies the scab: cf. F. scabieux.]

Definition: Consisting of scabs; rough; itchy; leprous; as, scabious eruptions. Arbuthnot.

Sca"bi*ous, n. Etym: [Cf. F. scabieuse. See Scabious, a.] (Bot.)

Definition: Any plant of the genus Scabiosa, several of the species of which are common in Europe. They resemble the Compositæ, and have similar heads of flowers, but the anthers are not connected. Sweet scabious (a) Mourning bride. (b) A daisylike plant (Erigeron annuus) having a stout branching stem.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

22 January 2025

MEGALITH

(noun) memorial consisting of a very large stone forming part of a prehistoric structure (especially in western Europe)


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.

coffee icon