citronella

[ si-truh-nel-uh ]
/ ˌsɪ trəˈnɛl ə /

noun

a fragrant grass, Cymbopogon nardus, of southern Asia, cultivated as the source of citronella oil.
citronella oil.

Origin of citronella

1855–60; < New Latin < French citronelle, equivalent to citron citron + -elle diminutive suffix

Words nearby citronella

citrine, citron, citron melon, citron wood, citronalis, citronella, citronella oil, citronellal, citronellol, citrovorum factor, citrulline

Example sentences from the Web for citronella

British Dictionary definitions for citronella

citronella
/ (ˌsɪtrəˈnɛlə) /

noun

Also called: citronella grass a tropical Asian grass, Cymbopogon (or Andropogon) nardus, with bluish-green lemon-scented leaves
Also called: citronella oil the yellow aromatic oil obtained from this grass, used in insect repellents, soaps, perfumes, etc

Word Origin for citronella

C19: New Latin, from French citronnelle lemon balm, from citron lemon

Scientific definitions for citronella

citronella
[ sĭt′rə-nĕl′ə ]

The pale-yellow, lemon-scented oil obtained from the leaves of a tropical Asian grass (Cymbopogon nardus), used in insect repellents and perfumes. Citronella consists primarily of an aldehyde of octane.