Origanums

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A genus of flowering plants in the mint family, known for their aromatic qualities and culinary uses, including in Mediterranean cuisine
2. This group includes various herbs that are valued for their flavor, often used in cooking and herbal remedies
3. Commonly associated with culinary herbs, these plants contribute a distinctive taste to dishes and are appreciated for their medicinal properties

Etymology: "Origanums" is simply the plural of "origanum," the botanical genus name for the marjoram-and-oregano group of herbs. The genus name came from Latin, which borrowed it from Greek "origanon," and the Greek word is the source of "oregano," which reached English as a separate, more everyday term. The two forms are doublets: the same ancient word arriving twice by different routes, once as a Latin-derived scientific name and once as the familiar kitchen word.

Synonyms: oregano, wild marjoram