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betony

[ bet-n-ee ]

noun

, plural bet·o·nies.
  1. 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.
  2. any of various similar plants, especially of the genus Pedicularis.


betony

/ ˈbɛtənɪ /

noun

  1. a Eurasian plant, Stachys (or Betonica ) officinalis , with a spike of reddish-purple flowers, formerly used in medicine and dyeing: family Lamiaceae (labiates)
  2. any of several related plants of the genus Stachys
  3. wood betony
    a North American scrophulariaceous plant, Pedicularis canadensis See also lousewort
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of betony1

First recorded before 1000; late Middle English; Middle English betayny, betanie, from 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 adjective suffix); compare Middle English beteyne, betoyne (from Anglo-French ), Old English bet(t)onice (from Latin ); -ic
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Word History and Origins

Origin of betony1

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

Make injections of a decoction of origane mugwort, dog's mercury, betony, and eggs; inject into the womb with a female syringe.

If she be of full habit of body open a vein, after preparing her with syrup of betony, calamint, hyssop and feverfew.

First came a liquor made with betony, "for the sake of those who could not accustom themselves to the bitter taste of coffee."

Betony is a herb belonging to the mint family, and its root was formerly employed in medicine as an emetic or purgative.

After a time, when the corn is ripening, the herb betony flowers on the mounds under the oaks.

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