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. purple loosestrife (L. salicaria) with spikes of purple flowers

Etymology: 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