gentian
noun
gen·tian ˈjen(t)-shən 
1
: any of numerous herbs (family Gentianaceae, the gentian family, and especially genus Gentiana) with opposite smooth leaves and showy usually blue flowers
2
: the rhizome and roots of a yellow-flowered gentian (Gentiana lutea) of southern Europe that is used as a tonic, stomachic, and flavoring in vermouth
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Its distinguishing feature is Aperol, a bright orange bitter Italian liqueur of gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona. 
Alex Erdekian, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2020 The French have bright yellow Suze and clear Salers, both gentian-based; the Germans have Jägermeister and Underberg. M. Carrie Allan, chicagotribune.com, 20 Nov. 2019 The French have bright yellow Suze and clear Salers, both gentian-based; the Germans have Jägermeister and Underberg. M. Carrie Allan, chicagotribune.com, 20 Nov. 2019 The French have bright yellow Suze and clear Salers, both gentian-based; the Germans have Jägermeister and Underberg. M. Carrie Allan, chicagotribune.com, 20 Nov. 2019 This year’s Olympic Games bouquet consists of eustoma, sunflower, gentian, narcolan and haran blossoms. Raisa Bruner, Time, 7 Feb. 2020 The French have bright yellow Suze and clear Salers, both gentian-based; the Germans have Jägermeister and Underberg. M. Carrie Allan, chicagotribune.com, 20 Nov. 2019 The French have bright yellow Suze and clear Salers, both gentian-based; the Germans have Jägermeister and Underberg. Washington Post, 19 Nov. 2019 Other, lower-living species—showy gentians, a spiky aster relative called Chuquiraga, purple lupines—had moved upslope by an average of more than 500 meters since 1802. Tim Appenzeller, Science | AAAS, 11 Sep. 2019 See More
Alex Erdekian, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2020 The French have bright yellow Suze and clear Salers, both gentian-based; the Germans have Jägermeister and Underberg. M. Carrie Allan, chicagotribune.com, 20 Nov. 2019 The French have bright yellow Suze and clear Salers, both gentian-based; the Germans have Jägermeister and Underberg. M. Carrie Allan, chicagotribune.com, 20 Nov. 2019 The French have bright yellow Suze and clear Salers, both gentian-based; the Germans have Jägermeister and Underberg. M. Carrie Allan, chicagotribune.com, 20 Nov. 2019 This year’s Olympic Games bouquet consists of eustoma, sunflower, gentian, narcolan and haran blossoms. Raisa Bruner, Time, 7 Feb. 2020 The French have bright yellow Suze and clear Salers, both gentian-based; the Germans have Jägermeister and Underberg. M. Carrie Allan, chicagotribune.com, 20 Nov. 2019 The French have bright yellow Suze and clear Salers, both gentian-based; the Germans have Jägermeister and Underberg. Washington Post, 19 Nov. 2019 Other, lower-living species—showy gentians, a spiky aster relative called Chuquiraga, purple lupines—had moved upslope by an average of more than 500 meters since 1802. Tim Appenzeller, Science | AAAS, 11 Sep. 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English gencian, from Anglo-French genciane, from Latin gentiana
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing gentian
Kids Definition
gentian
noun
gen·tian ˈjen-chən
: a plant with smooth leaves and usually blue flowers
Medical Definition
gentian
noun
gen·tian ˈjen-chən
1
: any of two genera (Gentiana and Dasystephana) of herbs belonging to a family (Gentianaceae, the gentian family) and having opposite smooth leaves and showy usually blue flowers
2
: the rhizome and roots of a yellow-flowered gentian (Gentiana lutea) of southern Europe that is used as a tonic and stomachic
called also gentian root