tansy

American  

[tan-zee] / ˈtæn zi /

noun

plural

tansies

1. any of several composite plants of the genus Tanacetum, especially a strong-scented, weedy, Old World herb, T. vulgare, having flat-topped clusters of tubular yellow flowers.

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tansy British  

/ ˈtænzɪ /

noun

1. any of numerous plants of the genus Tanacetum, esp T. vulgare, having yellow flowers in flat-topped clusters and formerly used in medicine and for seasoning: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. any of various similar plants

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Etymology

Origin of tansy

1225–75; Middle English < Old French tanesie, aphetic variant of atanesie < Medieval Latin athanasia < Greek athanasía immortality, equivalent to a- a- ⁶ + thánat ( os ) death ( Thanatos ) + -ia -y ³, with ti < si

Example Sentences

Along with members of the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, which owns some adjacent land, Hamman and her colleagues plan to burn some of Noyes’ pastures later this year to help control tansy ragwort.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 18, 2023

In the 1860s, an American suspecting a possible pregnancy may have used plants like tansy, black or blue cohosh, rue, angelica or pennyroyal to bring on bleeding.

From Slate • Jul. 18, 2022

The technique recorded how the abundance of different species changed through time: For example, the rapid bloom and growth of the tansy mustard in early spring, an event missed by ground surveys.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 30, 2021

Beyond dill and cilantro, favorite herb companions include tansy, feverfew, lavender and thyme.

From New York Times • Feb. 17, 2021

“Hollyhock and tansy; madder and bedstraw . . .” But they fell into no comfortable rhythm and did not rhyme.

From "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry