pellitory

/ -trɪ; ˈpɛlɪtərɪ /

noun

1. any of various urticaceous plants of the S and W European genus Parietaria, esp P. diffusa ( pellitory-of-the-wall or wall pellitory ), that grow in crevices and have long narrow leaves and small pink flowers
2. pellitory of Spain
   pellitory of Spain a small Mediterranean plant, Anacyclus pyrethrum, the root of which contains an oil formerly used to relieve toothache: family Asteraceae (composites)

Word History and Origins

Origin of pellitory¹

C16 peletre, from Old French piretre, from Latin pyrethrum, from Greek purethron, from pur fire, from the hot pungent taste of the root

Example Sentences

Pellitory, pel′i-tor-i, n. a genus of plants found most commonly on old walls and heaps of rubbish: the feverfew.

From Project Gutenberg

You may boil in it Pellitory of the wall, Agrimony, or what herbs you please.

From Project Gutenberg

She picked a little piece of pellitory out of the breast-high wall in front of us.

From Project Gutenberg

In Tuscany there grows on walls a rootless little pellitory (Parietaria), with tiny pale-pink flowers and small leaves.

From Project Gutenberg

The Pellitory of the wall (Parietaria officinalis), has the male and female flowers on the same plant.

From Project Gutenberg