Lavender

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈlæv.ən.də/

Definitions

1. A fragrant purple flowering plant often used in perfumes, soaps, and aromatherapy for its calming scent
2. A type of aromatic plant characterized by its purple flowers and used in various applications like essential oils, culinary dishes, and ornamental gardening
3. A flowering herb known for its soothing fragrance, commonly utilized in beauty products, essential oils, and to enhance gardens with its aesthetic appeal

Etymology: Lavender's name may owe as much to washing as to colour. The Medieval Latin "lavendula" is possibly derived from Latin "lividus", meaning "bluish", which would tie the plant to its pale violet blossoms. Yet the name was also shaped by "lavō", Latin for "to wash", since lavender was widely used to scent laundry. The two origins blended, so the plant's name seems to pull between the colour of its flowers and the tubs of clean linen it perfumed. The word reached English through Old French "lavendre" and Anglo-Norman "lavendre" (French "lavande"), arriving in Middle English as "lavendre". Over time the spelling shifted to the modern form, while the sense stayed fixed on the fragrant herb.

Synonyms: purple, violet