Centaury
/ˈsɛn.tɔːr.i/noun
A flowering herb of the genus Centaurium, traditionally used in herbal medicine.
Did you know?Its name comes through the ancient belief that the centaur Chiron, famed as a healer and teacher of medicine, discovered or used the plant.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κενταύριον (kentaúrion)
“A medicinal plant associated by tradition with the centaurs.”
1st Century
Latin
centaurium
“The centaur herb; a medicinal plant name recorded in Latin botanical writing.”
Middle English
English
centaurie
“The herb centaury, borrowed through medieval French and Latin.”
14th Century
English
centaury
“A medicinal flowering herb.”
Modern English
English
centaury
“A plant of the genus Centaurium, especially common centaury, Centaurium erythraea.”
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