Word Study
burnet
CIDE DICTIONARY
burnet, n. [OE. burnet burnet; also, brownish (the plant perh. being named from its color), fr. F. brunet, dim. of brun brown; cf. OF. brunete a sort of flower. See Brunette.].
A genus of perennial herbs (Poterium ); especially, Poterium Sanguisorba , the common, or garden, burnet. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
burnet, n.
1 any rosaceous plant of the genus Sanguisorba, with pink or red flowers.
2 any of several diurnal moths of the family Zygaenidae, with crimson spots on greenish-black wings.
1 any rosaceous plant of the genus Sanguisorba, with pink or red flowers.
2 any of several diurnal moths of the family Zygaenidae, with crimson spots on greenish-black wings.
Etymology
obs. burnet (adj.) dark brown f. OF burnete
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