lavender

[lav-uhn-der]

noun

1. a pale bluish purple.

2. any Old World plant or shrub belonging to the genus Lavandula, of the mint family, especially L. angustifolia, having spikes of fragrant, pale purple flowers.

3. the dried flowers or other parts of this plant placed among linen, clothes, etc., for scent or as a preservative.

4. Also called lavender water. toilet water, aftershave, or the like, made with a solution of oil of lavender.

adjective

1. of the color lavender.

2. Informal.

   1. of or relating to gay male sexual orientation.

   2. (of a man) gay or effeminate.

lavender

/ ˈlævəndə /

noun

1. any of various perennial shrubs or herbaceous plants of the genus Lavandula, esp L. vera, cultivated for its mauve or blue flowers and as the source of a fragrant oil ( oil of lavender ): family Lamiaceae (labiates) See also spike lavender Compare sea lavender

2. the dried parts of L. vera, used to perfume clothes

3. 1. a pale or light bluish-purple to a very pale violet colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      lavender socks

4. perfume scented with lavender

5. informal,  (modifier) of or relating to homosexuality

   lavender language

Word History and Origins

Origin of lavender¹

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English lavendre, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin lavendula, variant of livendula, nasalized variant (unrecorded) of lividula “a plant livid in color”; livid , -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of lavender¹

C13: lavendre, via French from Medieval Latin lavendula, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

She uses it to make simple lavender grey tea lattes for herself and Tan France.

From Salon

Not far from Hutchinson's Bank Nature Reserve in south London lie some of the UK's most beautiful lavender fields which are fantastic habitats for butterflies and especially bees.

From BBC

Their underside is often a lighter lavender to make them harder for sea predators to spot from below as they glimmer along with the sun on the ocean’s surface.

From Los Angeles Times

At a stoplight, my gaze will magnetically travel north to the Santa Monica Mountains blanketed in a golden charred brown, and I travel back to hiking those trails, surrounded by sage, lavender and flitting bluebirds.

From Los Angeles Times

The Pennsylvania Republican asked Heinrich for her hand in marriage in a lavender field in Provence, France, according to People.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• lilac 
• violet