St.-John's-wort

[ seynt-jonz-wurt, -wawrt ]
/ ˌseɪntˈdʒɒnzˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /

noun

any of various plants or shrubs of the genus Hypericum, having yellow flowers and transparently dotted leaves.

Origin of St.-John's-wort

First recorded in 1745–55; so named because gathered on St. John's Eve to ward off evil

British Dictionary definitions for saint john's wort

Saint John's wort

noun usually abbreviated to: St John's wort

  1. any of numerous shrubs or herbaceous plants of the temperate genus Hypericum, such as H. perforatum, having yellow flowers and glandular leaves: family Hypericaceae
  2. a preparation of this plant often used to treat mild depressionSee also rose of Sharon (def. 1), tutsan

Word Origin for Saint John's wort

C15: so named because it was traditionally gathered on Saint John's Eve (June 23) as a protection against evil spirits