Aubrieta

noun

Au·​brie·​ta

ˌȯ-brē-ˈe-tə,

ˌȯ-ˈbrē-,

ˌō-

1

: a genus of Eurasian perennial herbs (family Cruciferae) that often grow in dense mats, are cultivated in rock gardens, and have showy, usually purplish flowers

2

aubrieta or aubretia

ō-ˈbrē-sh(ē-)ə,

ȯ-

or less commonly aubrietia

ō-ˈbrē-sh(ē-)ə,

ȯ-

plural aubrietas or aubretias also aubrietias : a plant of the genus Aubrieta

The technique to keep aubrietas going year after year is to shear them hard as they finish their display, so that they develop a new cushion of tight foliage.

—Val Bourne, Daily Telegraph (London), 16 Apr. 2011

I used to be snooty about aubretia, but that was before I saw it growing wild on limestone cliffs in Greece. It's a beautiful plant, and one which will thrive on the driest wall.

—Christopher Stocks, Independent on Sunday (London), 22 Aug. 2004

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Claude Aubriet †1742 French painter of flowers and animals + New Latin -ia

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!