loosestrife

(lo̵̅o̅sstrīf′)

noun

  1. any of a genus (Lysimachia) of plants of the primrose family, with leafy stems and loose spikes of white, rose, or yellow flowers
  2. any of a genus (Lythrum) of plants of the loosestrife family, esp. (L. salicaria) with spikes of purple flowers

Origin: loose, v. + strife: used as transl. of L lysimachia < Gr lysimacheios, understood as “ending strife” < lyein, to loosen, solve (see lysis) + machē, battle: from its assumed soothing properties, but prob. after Lysimachia, city in Thrace or Lysimachos, king of Thrace, its founder

adjective

designating a family (Lythraceae, order Myrtales) of chiefly tropical dicotyledonous plants, including henna

See loosestrife in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Any of various plants of the genus Lysimachia, having usually yellow flowers.
  2. Any of various plants of the genus Lythrum, having purple or white flowers.

Origin:

Origin: Mistranslation of Latin lȳsimachīa (as if from Greek lusis, loosening + Greek makhē, battle)

Origin: , from Greek lūsimakheios

Origin: , perhaps after Lūsimakhos, Lysimachos, Greek physician of the fifth or fourth century B.C.

Learn more about loosestrife

link/cite print suggestion box