gentian

(jen′s̸hən)

adjective

designating a family (Gentianaceae, order Gentianales) of dicotyledonous plants, including the fringed gentians and the closed gentians

Origin: ME genciane < OFr gentiane < L gentiana, of Illyrian orig.

noun

any of a large genus (Gentiana) of plants of the gentian family, with blue, white, red, or yellow flowers
the bitter root of the (G. lutea), used as a gastrointestinal tonic

See gentian in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of numerous plants of the genus Gentiana, characteristically having showy, variously colored flowers.
The dried rhizome and roots of a yellow-flowered European gentian, G. lutea, sometimes used as a tonic.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English gencian

Origin: , from Old French genciane

Origin: , from Latin gentiāna

Origin: , perhaps after Gentius, second-century B.C. king of Illyria

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