rosemary

(rōzmer′ē)

noun

an evergreen herb (Rosmarinus officinalis) of the mint family, native to the Mediterranean region, with clusters of small, light-blue flowers and leaves that yield a fragrant essential oil, used in perfumes, in cooking, etc.

Origin: altered (after rose & Mary) < earlier rosmarine < L ros marinus (also ros maris), lit., dew of the sea < ros, dew (< IE *rosā < *eres, to flow: see race) + marinus, marine

noun

a feminine name
var. Rosemarie

Origin: see rosemary

See rosemary in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. rose·mar·ies
  1. An aromatic evergreen Mediterranean shrub (Rosmarinus officinalis) having light blue or pink flowers and grayish-green leaves that are used in cooking and perfumery.
  2. The leaves of this plant used as a seasoning.

Origin:

Origin: Alteration of Middle English rosmarine

Origin: , from Latin rōs marīnus, sea dew

Origin: : rōs, dew

Origin: + marīnus, of the sea; see Marine 

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