dittany

dit·ta·ny  (dtn-)

n. pl. dit·ta·nies

1. An aromatic woolly plant (Origanum dictamnus) native to Crete, formerly believed to have magical powers.

2. See stone mint.

3. See gas plant.

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[Middle English ditaine, from Old French ditan, from Latin dictamnus, from Greek diktamnon, perhaps after Mount Dikt (Dhíkti), a peak in eastern Crete.]

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dittany [ˈdɪtənɪ]

n pl -nies

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) an aromatic Cretan plant, Origanum dictamnus, with pink drooping flowers: formerly credited with great medicinal properties: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) Also called stone mint a North American labiate plant, Cunila origanoides, with clusters of purplish flowers

3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) another name for gas plant

[from Old French ditan, from Latin dictamnus, from Greek diktamnon, perhaps from Diktē, mountain in Crete]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

dittany - Eurasian perennial herb with white flowers that emit flammable vapor in hot weather Dictamnus alba, fraxinella, gas plant, burning bush herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests