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
- any of numerous shrubs or herbaceous plants of the temperate genus Hypericum, such as H. perforatum, having yellow flowers and glandular leaves: family Hypericaceae
- 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