Definition

Noun: - A Eurasian perennial herb (Tanacetum balsamita, formerly Chrysanthemum balsamita) characterized by button-like yellow flowers and a tansy-like scent. It is cultivated for use as a potherb, a salad green, and sometimes for flavoring in potpourri, tea, or culinary dishes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The gardener planted chrysanthemum balsamita in the herb bed for its aromatic leaves.
  • For the salad, she picked fresh leaves of chrysanthemum balsamita.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Culinary Context: The plant is sometimes referred to historically as "costmary" or "alecost." Its leaves were traditionally used to flavor ale and as a bookmark in Bibles, imparting their scent.
  • In medieval times, chrysanthemum balsamita was a common strewing herb.

Variants and Related Words

• Costmary (n): A common name for .
• Alecost (n): An archaic name for the same herb, referencing its use in ale.
• Balsamita (n): The genus name sometimes used to refer to this species.

Synonyms

• Mint geranium (n): A regional common name.
• Bible leaf (n): A common name alluding to its historical use as a scented bookmark.

Related Phrases

• Salad herb: A phrase describing one of its primary culinary uses.
• Strewing herb: A phrase describing its historical use for freshening rooms.

Noun

1. tansy-scented Eurasian perennial herb with buttonlike yellow flowers; used as potherb or salad green and sometimes for potpourri or tea or flavoring; sometimes placed in genus Chrysanthemum