Definition

Noun 1. A common perennial aromatic herb native to Eurasia: This term refers to a specific plant (Tanacetum vulgare) known for its clusters of small, bright yellow, button-like flower heads and its bitter-tasting, pinnate leaves. It is sometimes used in herbal medicine.

Usage Notes

• "Golden buttons" is primarily a common name for the herb tansy.
• It functions as a singular noun when referring to the plant as a whole (e.g., "A golden buttons is growing...") but is often treated as a plural noun due to the "s" in "buttons," especially when describing its features (e.g., "Its golden buttons are...").
• This term is most common in informal, regional, or historical contexts related to botany and traditional herbalism.

Examples

• Noun:
  • We planted golden buttons in the cottage garden for its traditional medicinal uses.
  • The field was dotted with the bright yellow blooms of golden buttons.
  • Historically, golden buttons was used as a bittering agent and a vermifuge.

Advanced Usage

• As a descriptive compound: The name itself is descriptive, comparing the plant's flower heads to small, round, golden-yellow buttons.
  • The herbalist pointed out the plant's distinctive golden-button flowers.

Variants and Related Words

• Tansy (n): The standard common name for the same plant ().
• Common tansy (n): A more precise common name.
• Bitter buttons (n): Another folk name referencing the plant's taste.

Synonyms

• Tansy
• Common tansy
• Bitter buttons (folk name)

Important Note

"Golden buttons" is not a phrasal verb or a common idiom in general English. It is a fixed compound noun serving as a plant name. It should not be confused with literal buttons made of gold.

Noun

1. common perennial aromatic herb native to Eurasia having buttonlike yellow flower heads and bitter-tasting pinnate leaves sometimes used medicinally