fumitory

[ fyoo-mi-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

noun

, plural fu·mi·to·ries.

1. any plant of the genus Fumaria, especially a delicate herb, F. officinalis, having finely dissected, grayish leaves and spikes of purplish flowers.

fumitory

/ ˈfjuːmɪtərɪ; -trɪ /

noun

1. any plant of the chiefly European genus Fumaria , esp F. officinalis , having spurred flowers and formerly used medicinally: family Fumariaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of fumitory¹

1350–1400; alteration of earlier fumiterre, Middle English fumetere < Middle French < Medieval Latin fūmus terrae literally, smoke of the earth; literal sense uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of fumitory¹

C14: from Old French fumetere , from Medieval Latin fūmus terrae , literally: smoke of the earth; see fume

Example Sentences

The earth was soft and crumbling, with a scattering of the weeds that are found in cultivated fields—fumitory, charlock, pimpernel and mayweed, all growing in the green gloom under the bean leaves.

From Literature

Changes in farming practices in recent decades mean these wild flowers - including vetch, fumitory and clover - are now scarce.

From BBC

I think we may see this even in a small flower like the fumitory, in which one portion is deep purple and all the rest of the blossoms a delicate pink.

From Project Gutenberg

In past times fumitory was in esteem for its reputed cholagogue and other medicinal properties; and in England, boiled in water, milk or whey, it was used as a cosmetic.

From Project Gutenberg

The fumitories are elegant plants, and nearly always in flower; the blossoms are small, yellow, sometimes white, and borne in profusion amongst the finely-cut foliage, which, the whole summer through, is a bright clear green.

From Project Gutenberg