lavender
pronunciation
How to pronounce lavender in British English:
UK [ˈlævəndə(r)]
How to pronounce lavender in American English:
US [ˈlævəndɚ]
-
- Noun:
- any of various Old World aromatic shrubs or subshrubs with usually mauve or blue flowers; widely cultivated
-
- Adjective:
- of a pale purple color
Word Origin
- lavender (n.)
- "fragrant plant of the mint family," c. 1300, from Anglo-French lavendre, Old French lavendre, from Medieval Latin lavendula "lavender" (10c.), perhaps from Latin lividus "bluish, livid." Associated with French lavande, Italian lavanda "a washing" (from Latin lavare "to wash;" see lave) because it was used to scent washed fabrics and as a bath perfume. (An identical Middle English word meant "laundress, washerwoman;" also, apparently, "prostitute, whore; camp follower" and is attested as a surname from early 13c.). The adjective meaning "pale purple color" is from 1840.
Example
- 1. Research has shown that the lavender scent increases alertness .
- 2. She had the sweet scent of my lavender soap .
- 3. Though this pillar is yellow , others may appear in shades from lemon to lavender .
- 4. Add lavender oil to bath water to promote moisture .
- 5. Drop the mothballs and reach for lavender or cedar instead .