reseda

[ ri-see-duh ]

noun

1. a grayish green.

adjective

1. grayish green, like the flowers of the mignonette.

reseda

/ ˈrɛsɪdə /

noun

1. any plant of the European genus Reseda , including mignonette and dyer's rocket, which has small spikes of grey-green flowers

adjective

1. of a greyish-green colour; mignonette

Word History and Origins

Origin of reseda¹

1745–55 as name of plant genus including mignonette; 1870–75 for current senses; < New Latin: genus name, Latin resēda (according to Pliny, literally, heal! (imperative of resēdāre to heal, assuage), referring to the plant's use in treating tumors)

Word History and Origins

Origin of reseda¹

C18: from New Latin, from Latin: heal! from resēdāre to assuage, from re- + sēdāre to soothe; see sedate ²