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 /

adjective

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

scabious

²

/ 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
   a similar and related Eurasian marsh plant, Succisa pratensis

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

C17: from Latin scabiōsus, from scabies

Origin of scabious²

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

Example Sentences

The butterfly depends on a network of marshy grassland habitat, usually grazed by cattle, with a plentiful supply of the devil's-bit scabious plant - its favourite food.

From BBC

In addition to fulfilling custom orders, they offer a single fresh arrangement each week, available in three sizes, consisting of a lively mix of blooms such as sunflowers, delphiniums, dahlias, agapanthus and scabious.

From New York Times

Buglife Cymru said it discovered a "strong population" of small scabious mining bees at St Julian's Park local nature reserve last week.

From BBC

Think swathes of catmint, field scabious and hyssop.

From The Guardian

The others are the shining guest ant, dark bordered beauty moth, small scabious mining bee, northern silver-stiletto fly and pine hoverfly.

From BBC