prunella

See also: Prunella

English

Etymology 1

From post-classical Latin prunella, from brunus + -ella, perhaps because of the plant's brown sepals.

Noun

prunella (plural prunellas)

  1. (botany) A member of the genus Prunella of herbaceous plants, the allheals. [from 16th c.]

Etymology 2

From post-classical Latin prunella, alternation of brunella (β€œinfectious epidemic”), from brunus + -ella.

Noun

prunella (uncountable)

  1. (obsolete, medicine) Any of various diseases characterised by inflammation of the mouth or throat. [17th–18th c.]
Derived terms

Etymology 3

Probably a variant of prunello, with reference to the colour of the fabric. Compare French prunelle.

Noun

prunella (uncountable)

  1. (now rare, historical) A smooth worsted or silk fabric, generally black, formerly used for making shoes and clergymen's gowns. [from 17th c.]
    • 1899, Kate Chopin, The Awakening:
      When Edna knocked at Mademoiselle Reisz's front room door and entered, she discovered that person standing beside the window, engaged in mending or patching an old prunella gaiter.
This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.