Word Study
centaury
CIDE DICTIONARY
centaury, n. [L. centaureum and centauria, Gr. kentay`rion, kentay`reion, and kentayri`h, fr. the Centaur Chiron.].
A gentianaceous plant not fully identified. The name is usually given to the Erytheræa Centaurium and the Chlora perfoliata of Europe, but is also extended to the whole genus Sabbatia , and even to the unrelated Centaurea . [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
centaury, n. (pl. -ies) any plant of the genus Centaurium, esp. C. erythraea, formerly used in medicine.
Etymology
LL centaurea ult. f. Gk kentauros CENTAUR: from the legend that it was discovered by the centaur Chiron
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