borage

American  

[bawr-ij, bor-, bur-] / ˈbɔr ɪdʒ, ˈbɒr-, ˈbɜr- /

noun

1. a plant, Borago officinalis, native to southern Europe, having hairy leaves and stems, used medicinally and in salads.

2. any of various allied or similar plants.

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borage British  

/ ˈbʌrɪdʒ, ˈbɒrɪdʒ /

noun

1. a European boraginaceous plant, Borago officinalis , with star-shaped blue flowers. The young leaves have a cucumber-like flavour and are sometimes used in salads or as seasoning

2. any of several related plants

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Etymology

Origin of borage

1250–1300; Middle English burage < Anglo-French borage, bo ( u )- rache, Middle French bourage < Vulgar Latin *burrāgō ( Late Latin burra hair stuffing + -gō noun suffix)

Example Sentences

Rebuilder of the adrenals, borage is a deep-acting nervine suited to times of exhaustion and low spirits.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2024

Herbs she grows — borage and lavender, for example — are sold off or given for free to garden shares and food forests.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 22, 2023

Residence halls sit in groves of acacia and borage.

From The Guardian • Feb. 20, 2020

At the community garden, Katebi is growing kale, Swiss chard, fennel, nasturtium, borage, lemon verbena, parsley, basil and cilantro.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2018

Basil, balm, borage, burnet, celery, chervil, colewort, coriander, corn-salad, cresses, endive, French fennel, lettuce, mint, mustard, nasturtiums, nettle-tops, parsley, pennyroyal, radishes, rape, sage, sorrel, spinage, tarragon, and water-cresses.

From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Eaton, Mary, fl. 1823-1849