costmary

cost·mar·y  (kôstmâr)

n. pl. cost·mar·ies

A Eurasian perennial herb (Chrysanthemum balsamita) in the composite family, having aromatic foliage sometimes used for potpourri, tea, or flavoring.

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[Middle English costmarie : cost, costmary (from Old English, from Latin costum, from Greek kostos, from Sanskrit kuha) + marie, Mary, the mother of Jesus.]

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costmary [ˈkɒstˌmɛərɪ]

n pl -maries

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) a herbaceous plant, Chrysanthemum balsamita, native to Asia. Its fragrant leaves were used as a seasoning and to flavour ale: family Asteraceae (composites) Also called alecost

[C15 costmarie, from Latin costum aromatic plant + Marie (the Virgin) Mary]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	costmary - tansy-scented Eurasian perennial herb with buttonlike yellow flowers; used as potherb or salad green and sometimes for potpourri or tea or flavoring; sometimes placed in genus Chrysanthemum alecost, balsam herb, bible leaf, Chrysanthemum balsamita, mint geranium, Tanacetum balsamita costmary - leaves used sparingly (because of bitter overtones) in sauces and soups and stuffings genus Tanacetum, Tanacetum - a large genus of plants resembling chrysanthemums; comprises some plants often included in other genera especially genus Chrysanthemum herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests
	2.	costmary - leaves used sparingly (because of bitter overtones) in sauces and soups and stuffings herb - aromatic potherb used in cookery for its savory qualities alecost, balsam herb, bible leaf, Chrysanthemum balsamita, costmary, mint geranium, Tanacetum balsamita - tansy-scented Eurasian perennial herb with buttonlike yellow flowers; used as potherb or salad green and sometimes for potpourri or tea or flavoring; sometimes placed in genus Chrysanthemum