polygala

[ puh-lig-uh-luh ]

noun

1. any plant of the genus Polygala, comprising the milkworts.

polygala

/ pəˈlɪɡələ /

noun

1. any herbaceous plant or small shrub of the polygalaceous genus Polygala See also milkwort

Other Words From

• pol·y·ga·la·ceous [pol-ee-g, uh, -, ley, -sh, uh, s, p, uh, -lig-, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of polygala¹

1570–80; < New Latin, genus name, special use of Latin polygala, for Greek polýgalon milkwort, literally, something very milky, equivalent to poly- poly- + -galon, derivative of gála milk; galacto-

Word History and Origins

Origin of polygala¹

C18: New Latin, from Greek polugalon, from poly- + gala milk

Example Sentences

A teeny green perennial herb called Polygala smallii, or tiny polygala, poked out from beneath my hiking boot.

From National Geographic

This has revealed that citrus trees and grape vines are immune to the pathogen, but that it can infest a large number of local species such as lavender, oleander and polygala.

From Nature

This Medicine, which is termed in Latin, the Polygala Virginiana, is certainly rather of a saponaceous attenuating Quality, and betrays not any Marks of Acidity, being rather moderately acrid.

From Project Gutenberg

It has the delicacy of texture and form characteristic of many of our native spring blooms, Hepatica, Anemone, Spring Beauty, Polygala.

From Project Gutenberg

Senega, sen′ē-ga, n. the seneca snakeroot, the dried root of Polygala Senega, good for snake-bites.

From Project Gutenberg