Lavender
/ˈlæv.ən.dər/noun
A fragrant flowering plant whose purple flowers and oil are widely used in perfumes, medicines, and aromatics.
Did you know?Lavender’s name is generally traced to Latin lavare, “to wash,” reflecting its long association with baths, cleansing, and perfuming water.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leu̯ə-
“To wash or cleanse; a reconstructed root connected with later washing words.”
Classical Latin
Latin
lavare
“To wash or bathe.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
lavandula
“Lavender; likely named in connection with washing or bathing.”
Old French
Old French
lavendre
“Lavender, the aromatic plant.”
14th Century
English
lavendre
“The fragrant purple plant, used medicinally and aromatically.”
Modern English
English
lavender
“A fragrant plant valued for its flowers, oil, perfume, and traditional cleansing uses.”