centaury

noun

cen·​tau·​ry ˈsen-ˌtȯr-ē 

plural centauries

: any of a genus (Centaurium) of low herbs of the gentian family

especially : an Old World herb (C. erythraea synonym C. umbellatum) that produces pink flowers and is used in herbal medicine

Examples of centaury in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Of Longworth’s picks, there’s Davines’s color-enhancing purple shampoo crafted specifically for platinum and cool blonde tones, or Klorane’s neutralizing shampoo enriched with organic centaury to counteract copper and yellow tones. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English centaure, from Anglo-French centorie, from Medieval Latin centaurea, from Latin centaureum, from Greek kentaureion, from Kentauros

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above