Chelidonium
/ˌkɛlɪˈdoʊniəm/noun
A genus of flowering plants in the poppy family, especially greater celandine.
Did you know?Chelidonium comes from Greek chelidōn, meaning “swallow,” because the plant was associated with the birds’ return in spring and with traditional healing lore.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
χελιδόνιον (khelidónion)
“a plant associated with swallows, especially celandine”
Classical Greek
Greek
χελιδών (khelidṓn)
“swallow, the bird”
Late Latin
Latin
chelidonium
“celandine, a medicinal plant”
Middle English
English
celidoyne / celidonie
“celandine, the plant”
Modern English
English
chelidonium
“a botanical genus in the poppy family”
Explore more surprising origins