Lavenders

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of flowering plant known for its aromatic purple blooms and use in perfumes and essential oils
2. Referring to a light purple color reminiscent of the flowers, often used in design and fashion
3. The dried flowers are often utilized in culinary dishes, teas, and as natural remedies for relaxation

Etymology: "Lavenders" is simply the plural of "lavender," the fragrant purple-flowered herb, so its story is the story of that root word. The plant's name appears to trace back through Medieval Latin "lavendula," which may have come from Latin "lividus," meaning "bluish," a fitting description of the flower's colour. The name probably also picked up a second meaning along the way. Lavender was widely used to scent laundry, so "lavendula" came to be associated with Latin "lavare" ("to wash") and its relative "lavō," and the washing connection may have shaped the spelling and sound. The word then passed through Old French "lavendre" into Middle English, which is how it reached English speakers.

Synonyms: purple, violet, lilac, amethyst, mauve