scabious

¹

[ skey-bee-uhs ]

adjective

1. covered with or consisting of scabs; scabby.
2. pertaining to or of the nature of scabies.

scabious

²

[ skey-bee-uhs ]

noun

1. Also called pincushion flower. any of various plants belonging to the genus Scabiosa, of the teasel family, having opposite leaves and often showy flower heads in a variety of colors.
2. any of various similar or related plants.

scabious

¹

/ ˈskeɪbɪəs /

noun

1. any plant of the genus Scabiosa, esp S. atropurpurea, of the Mediterranean region, having blue, red, or whitish dome-shaped flower heads: family Dipsacaceae
2. any of various similar plants of the related genus Knautia
3. devil's bit scabious
   devil's bit scabious a similar and related Eurasian marsh plant, Succisa pratensis

scabious

²

/ ˈskeɪbɪəs /

adjective

1. having or covered with scabs
2. of, relating to, or resembling scabies

Word History and Origins

Origin of scabious¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; scabi(es) + -ous

Origin of scabious²

1350–1400; Middle English scabiose < Medieval Latin scabiōsa ( herba ) scabies-curing (herb); scabies, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of scabious¹

C14: from Medieval Latin scabiōsa herba the scabies plant, referring to its use in treating scabies

Origin of scabious²

C17: from Latin scabiōsus, from scabies

Example Sentences

The mountains drew nearer, and other pale colours began to show through the scabious blue.

From Project Gutenberg

The grass was all but hidden under a blue blur of scabious, and the cobwebs in the hedges were elaborately studded with dew-drops.

From Project Gutenberg

The Scabious, or Devils bit, was regarded with great superstition.

From Project Gutenberg

When he passed under the window she threw him a scabious bound up with forget-me-nots.

From Project Gutenberg

Patches of purple heath alternated with lilac scabious and pale hare-bells.

From Project Gutenberg