betony

[ bet-n-ee ]
/ ˈbɛt n i /

noun, plural bet·o·nies.

a plant, Stachys (formerly Betonica) officinalis, of the mint family, having hairy leaves and dense spikes of purple flowers, formerly used in medicine and dyeing.
any of various similar plants, especially of the genus Pedicularis.

Origin of betony

before 1000; late Middle English; Middle English betayny, betanie < Medieval Latin betōnia, re-formation of Latin betōnica (Pliny), in earlier readings vettōnica ( herba) Vettonic (herb) ( Vettōn(ēs) an Iberian tribe + -ica, feminine of -icus -ic); compare Middle English beteyne, betoyne (< AF), Old English bet(t)onice (< L)

Words nearby betony

bethune, mary mcleod, betide, betimes, betjeman, betoken, betony, betook, betray, betroth, betrothal, betrothed

Example sentences from the Web for betony

British Dictionary definitions for betony

betony
/ (ˈbɛtənɪ) /

noun plural -nies

a Eurasian plant, Stachys (or Betonica) officinalis, with a spike of reddish-purple flowers, formerly used in medicine and dyeing: family Lamiaceae (labiates)
any of several related plants of the genus Stachys
wood betony a North American scrophulariaceous plant, Pedicularis canadensis See also lousewort

Word Origin for betony

C14: from Old French betoine, from Latin betonica, variant of vettonica, probably named after the Vettones, an ancient Iberian tribe