dittany

dit·ta·ny

D0299400 (dĭt′n-ē)n. pl. dit·ta·nies 1. An aromatic woolly plant (Origanum dictamnus) in the mint family, native to Crete and 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 Diktē, (Dhíkti), a peak in eastern Crete.]

dittany

(ˈdɪtənɪ) n, pl -nies1. (Plants) an aromatic Cretan plant, Origanum dictamnus, with pink drooping flowers: formerly credited with great medicinal properties: family Lamiaceae (labiates)2. (Plants) Also called: stone mint a North American labiate plant, Cunila origanoides, with clusters of purplish flowers3. (Plants) another name for gas plant[C14: from Old French ditan, from Latin dictamnus, from Greek diktamnon, perhaps from Diktē, mountain in Crete]

dit•ta•ny

(ˈdɪt n i)

n., pl. -nies. 1. a Cretan plant, Origanumdictamnus, of the mint family, having spikes of purple flowers. 2. a North American plant, Cunila origanoides, of the mint family, bearing clusters of purplish flowers. 3. gas plant. [1350–1400; Middle English ditane, detany < Old French dita(i)n < Latin dictamnus, dictamnum < Greek díktamnon, perhaps akin to Díktē, a mountain in Crete where the herb abounded]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

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