Loosestrife Definition

lo͝osstrīf
noun
Any of a genus (Lythrum) of plants of the loosestrife family, esp. purple loosestrife (L. salicaria) with spikes of purple flowers.
Webster's New World
Any of a genus (Lysimachia) of plants of the primrose family, with leafy stems and loose spikes of white, rose, or yellow flowers.
Webster's New World
adjective
Designating a family (Lythraceae, order Myrtales) of chiefly tropical dicotyledonous plants, including henna.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Loosestrife

Noun

Singular:
loosestrife
Plural:
loosestrifes

Origin of Loosestrife

  • Mistranslation of Latin lȳsimachīa (as if from Greek lusis loosening) (Greek makhē battle) from Greek lūsimakheios perhaps after Lūsimakhos , Lysimachos, Greek physician of the fifth or fourth century bc

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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