cost·mar·y (kôst mâr )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.
[Middle English costmarie : cost, costmary (from Old English, from Latin costum, from Greek kostos, from Sanskrit ku ha ) + marie, Mary, the mother of Jesus.] |
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| 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 Chrysanthemumcostmary - 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 stuffingsherb - aromatic potherb used in cookery for its savory qualities |