costmary en · NOUN
Etymology
From Latin costum, from Ancient Greek κόστος (kóstos, “an Oriental aromatic plant”), and Maria (“the Virgin Mary”); only indirectly related to English rosemary.
Meanings
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(uncountable, usually) An aromatic plant (Tanacetum balsamita), once used to flavour ale (prior to use of hops); also used as a bookmark in Bibles and other holy texts to dissuade silverfish and other pests.
The Marigolde, and cherefull Rosemarie; / The Spartan Mirtle, whence sweet gumb does flowe; / The purple Hyacinths, and fresh Costmarie, / And Saffron, sought for in Cilician soyle
1591, “Virgils Gnat”, in Edmund Spenser, transl., Complaints, translation of Culex by Virgil:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| costmaries | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Synonyms
Translations (19)
fa شاهسپرغم (Translations) · dsb žonska ḿetej (Translations) · pl złocień wonny (Translations) · it fritola (Translations) · cy costmair (Translations) · bg Калоферче (Translations) · ru пижма бальзамическая (Translations) · ota طرخون (Translations) · de Frauenminze (Translations) · it menta romana (Translations) · ca cost (Translations) · cy tansi Mair (Translations) · fi palsamipietaryrtti (Translations) · es hierba de Santa María (Translations) · it erba amara (Translations) · de Marienblatt (Translations) · ga gormshúileach (Translations) · it menta greca (Translations) · fr menthe-coq (Translations)