/ˌʒɒ̃sɪˈan/, U.S. /ˌʒɑ̃siˈɑn/, 1500s–1600s gentiana, 1500s– gentian. gentiann.adj.
/ˈdʒɛnʃn/, /ˈdʒɛnʃɪən/, /ˈdʒɛntɪən/, U.S. /ˈdʒɛn(t)ʃən/, /ˈdʒɛn(t)iən//ˌʒɒ̃sɪˈan/, U.S. /ˌʒɑ̃siˈɑn/, 1500s–1600s gentiana, 1500s– gentian. A. n.
1.
a. Originally: the plant Gentiana lutea, a tall, yellow-flowered herbaceous perennial native to Europe and western Asia, having roots which are used medicinally and as a flavouring for alcoholic drinks; the great yellow, or yellow, gentian. In later use more generally: any plant of (or formerly included in) the genus Gentiana (family Gentianaceae), which comprises mainly perennial and annual herbaceous plants native to Europe and Asia; esp. any of a group of small alpine plants with deep blue flowers (including Gentiana acaulis and several species now regarded as members of the genus Gentianella).Occasionally also as a mass noun (typically with reference to gentians in flower in the wild).field gentian, marsh gentian, soapwort gentian, spring gentian, etc.: see the first element.
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the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Gentianaceae (gentians) > [noun]
gentianOE
fieldwooda1393
baldmoney1393
caresweeta1400
felwort1526
calathian violet1578
crosswort gentian1578
harvest-bell1597
gentianella1633
blue violet1649
marsh gentian1690
vernal gentian1728
pennywort1817
meadow pink1827
soap-gentian1845
soapwort gentian1845
autumn-bells1863
windflower1866
willow gentian1883
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular medicinal plants or parts > [noun] > gentian or officinal gentian
gentianOE
caresweeta1400
felwort1526
OE tr. Pseudo-Apuleius Herbarium (Vitell.) (1984) xvii. 62 Ðeos wyrt þe man gentianam [?a1200 Harl. 6258B [ȝenti]anam] & oðrum naman feldwyrt nemneþ, heo bið cenned on dunum... Wið nædran slite genim þysse ylcan wyrte gentianam wyrttruman [L. herbae gentianae radicem] & gedrige hine.
a1400 Alphita (Selden) (1887) 18 Herba genciana..gallice et angl. genciane.
?a1450 Agnus Castus (Stockh.) (1950) 160 (MED) Genciana is an herbe þat men clepe gencian or feldworth or baldmonye..þis herbe..purgyth..þe stomak.
1568 W. Turner Herbal 25 Of litle Gentian, or dwarfe Gentian.
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 350 There be diuers sorts of Gentians or Felwoorts.
1640 J. Parkinson Theatrum Botanicum iii. xxvi. 402 The great purple Gentian, is very like the great yellow Gentian in most things.
1671 W. Salmon Synopsis Medicinæ iii. xxii. 402 Gentian, the root resists poyson and Plague.
1756 J. Hill Brit. Herbal 62 The stalks of the gentians being hard and rigid, and their leaves tough and nervous.
1793 J. E. Smith Sketch Tour Continent III. xxxix. 133 There the grass was studded with the vivid blue of innumerable Gentians, mixed with glowing Crowfoots.
1801 R. Southey Thalaba I. iv. 228 The herbs so fair to eye Were Senna, and the Gentian's blossom blue.
1882 Garden 3 June 385/3 The early flowering Gentians..have done badly as regards bloom.
1934 L. Woolf Let. 12 May (1989) 241 The cliffs were covered with gentians and I don't think outside Greece I have ever seen anything more beautiful.
1969 M. H. Wolf Vermont is always with You 120 Our waterfall and pool fringed with closed gentians.
2014 Independent on Sunday (Nexis) 22 June (Travel section) 46 I plunged downhill under gathering clouds, to be welcomed into fields of gentian and forests of pine.
b. Chiefly with distinguishing word. Any of various other plants, typically belonging to the family Gentianaceae (see gentianaceous adj.) or having medicinal uses like those of gentians.horse gentian: see the first element.
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1751 J. Bartram in T. Short Medicina Britannica (ed. 3) App. 404 Triosteospermum, called in our Northern Colonies Dr. Tinker's Weed; in Pennsylvania, Gentian; and to the Southward Fever Root.
1817 A. Eaton Man. Bot. 30 [Swertia] pusilla, (false gentian).
1846 W. M. Buchanan Technol. Dict. 419/1 Laserpitium, a genus of perennial plants... Hercules'-all-heal, or wound-wort, heart-wort, or sermountain, the white gentian, &c., are species.
1879 J. Britten & R. Holland Dict. Eng. Plant-names Gentian..2. Erythræa Centaurium, L.—Suss.; Scotl., on the shores of the Moray Firth, where an infusion is drunk as a tonic.
1926 Maine Naturalist 5 110 The Spurred Gentian seems to be rather common in Maine.
1995 Garden Nov. 717/2 The funnel-shaped, rose-pink flowers of Amaryllis belladonna on sturdy, leafless stems, to the left and top, and sprays of purple Eustoma (prairie gentian) to the right, strengthen the outline.
2009 G. F. Smith & N. R. Crouch Succulents Southern Afr. 25 Raphionacme hirsuta. False gentian... At the apices of these shoots, masses of gentian-purple flowers are borne.
2.
a. More fully gentian root: the bitter-tasting root of the great yellow gentian or certain other species of gentian, used medicinally esp. as a general tonic and stimulant of appetite and digestion. Also: a preparation (typically a tincture or infusion) of this.
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a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. vii. lxvii. 433 Garlik, gencian, mynte.
a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 61 Take þe pouder of crabbis brent vj. parties, gencian .iij parties..make poudre.
c1450 Med. Recipes (BL Add. 33996) in F. Heinrich Mittelengl. Medizinbuch (1896) 205 (MED) For þe stomak engleymed, Tak poudre of gencyane, [etc.].
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 224/2 Gencyan rote, gentian.
1575 J. Banister Needefull Treat. Chyrurg. ii. f. 38v It [sc. the fistula] must well be enlarged, either with Penicillo, or a tent of Gentian, or a Sponge often prepared.
1811 A. T. Thomson London Dispensatory iii. 592 Take of gentian root, bruised, two drachms.
1829 J. Togno & E. Durand tr. H. Milne-Edwards & P. Vavasseur Man. Materia Medica v. 133 The root of the Frasera Walteri..is said to be not inferior to gentian and columbo.
1857 L. Pappe Floræ Capensis Medicæ Prodromus (ed. 2) p. vi Different kinds of Sebæa..could..serve as a good substitute for Gentian.
1958 L. Thorndike Hist. Magic & Exper. Sci. VIII. 90 Schröder himself names both galega and gentian as alexipharmaca against poison and the pest.
2004 J. A. Brinckmann & M. P. Lindenmaier tr. D. Frohne in M. Wichtl Herbal Drugs & Pharmaceuticals (ed. 3) 249/3 Gentian root is therefore considered to be not only a pure bitter, but also a roborant and tonic.
b. Sometimes in form gentiane. A liqueur or aperitif made from gentian root (typically that of yellow gentian n.). Also (more fully gentian spirit): an alcoholic spirit with a bitter flavour made from gentian root. See also gentian brandy n. at Compounds 2.
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the world > food and drink > drink > decoction > [noun] > of herbs, seeds, or bark
sorrela1400
cinnamon-water1589
borage-water1620
sage drink1747
sage juice1747
seed water1747
mauby1790
sabzi1804
gentian1840
Angostura1856
gentian bitter1864
sage gargle189.
hop bitters1894
rooibos1911
1840 J. Pereira Elements Materia Medica II. 895 The capability of the infusion of gentian to undergo the vinous fermentation, and to form an alcoholic liquor (gentian spirit), much admired by the Swiss.
1908 Wine & Spirit Bull. 1 Jan. 35/2 500 cases Edouard Pernod absinthe. 50 Cases Edouard Kirschwasser. 10 cases Edouard Gentiane.
1966 P. V. Price France: Food & Wine Guide 65 A pre-prandial digestive of a herby type, such as gentian or anisette.
1990 Effects Greater Econ. Integration within European Community on U.S. (U.S. Internat. Trade Comm. Publ. 2268) vi. 62/2 The specific spirit categories include..cider brandy, or perry spirit; gentian spirit; fruit spirit drinks; [etc.].
2011 Guardian (Nexis) 26 Mar. (Travel section) 8 The owners put on an incredible feast at night, beginning with a glass of Gentiane (a local aperitif of mountain herbs).
3. The vivid deep blue colour of certain gentian flowers. Cf. gentian blue n.
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the world > matter > colour > named colours > blue or blueness > [noun] > deep blue
powder blue1628
zaffre1662
ultramarine1695
smalt1775
ultramarine blue (or colour)1781
royal blue1782
smalt-blue1794
mazarine blue1803
blue feldspar1804
lazulite1807
cobalt1835
Vienna blue1835
Venetian bluec1840
bleu-de-roi1848
gentian blue1848
gentian1854
mazarine1857
night-blue1865
lapis lazuli1870
Reckitt's blue1877
royal1885
Littler's blue1904
delphine1909
delphinium1923
Madonna blue1932
1854 Sydney Morning Herald 30 May 6/2 (advt.) Blankets, assorted sizes and qualities, in gentian, scarlet, and white.
1945 Sydney Morning Herald 28 Feb. 6/7 Baby blue, hyacinth blue, sky blue, and all the other innocent blues to bright gentian.
1990 Country Homes Oct. 59/4 In very acid soils, or in tubs of ericaceous compost, they can be an electrifying shade of gentian.
2016 E. Gifford Summer Secrets (e-book ed.) The day was of some brilliance.., the sea to my right a vivid gentian, bright as a rolled-out bolt of satin.
B. adj.
Of the vivid deep blue colour of certain gentian flowers. Cf. gentian blue adj.
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the world > matter > colour > named colours > blue or blueness > [adjective] > deep blue
flaxen1605
mazarine1684
cyaneous1688
ultramarine1781
powder blue1789
smalt-blue1801
gentian1836
cobalt1849
night-blue1858
lazuline1877
smalt1880
1836 Arkansas State Gaz. 22 Nov. (advt.) Gentian, blue, scarlet and green blankets.
1860 Atlantic Monthly May 559/2 The baby, with his fringed gentian eyes.
1967 S. Pakenham Sixty Miles from Eng. xv. 204 Lady Blanche, in her white mantilla and pussy-cat bow of gentian silk.
2004 C. Fox Glendurgan iv. 45 I used to walk for miles along the coast, captivated by the composition formed by headlands and woodlands descending into gentian seas.
Compounds
C1. General use as a modifier.
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a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Jer. xvii. 6 It shal ben as iencian trees [L. myricæ] in desert.
c1440 Liber de Diversis Med. 5 (MED) Tak gencyane sede & rewe & gyffe hym to drynke.
1683 S. Pordage tr. T. Willis Two Disc. Soul of Brutes ii. xv. 233 Take..of Gentian compound, of Pœony compound, each two ounces.
1787 T. Topham New Compend. Syst. Dis. Cattle vii. 93 A little Gentian Powder..sprinkled on the dossils, moistened in the Tincture, and applied to the part.
1853 W. C. Bryant Poems (new ed.) 115 The blue gentian flower, that, in the breeze, Nods lonely.
1908 ‘O. Henry’ Voice of City 150 'Tis a bit of tea will do ye good, made from pipsissewa and gentian bark at the druggist's.
1999 M. Hulse tr. W. G. Sebald Vertigo (2000) iv. 236 The sour reek of..spilled gentian schnapps.
C2. † gentian bitter n. Chemistry Obsolete a bitter-tasting compound found in gentian root (probably gentiopicrin). [After German Gentianbitter (1840 or earlier).]
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the world > food and drink > drink > decoction > [noun] > of herbs, seeds, or bark
sorrela1400
cinnamon-water1589
borage-water1620
sage drink1747
sage juice1747
seed water1747
mauby1790
sabzi1804
gentian1840
Angostura1856
gentian bitter1864
sage gargle189.
hop bitters1894
rooibos1911
1864 H. Watts tr. L. Gmelin Hand-bk. Chem. XVI. 194 Six pounds of fresh roots yield 4 grammes of gentian-bitter.
1879 N.Y. Med. Eclectic 6 306 Yellow gentian root contains gentianic acid, a peculiar bitter called gentian bitter, uncrystallizable sugar [etc.].
1905 A. E. Leach Food Inspection & Anal. 591 Gentian Bitter may be extracted by treatment of the acid liquor with chloroform.
gentian bitters n. [ < gentian n. + bitters n.] a bitter-tasting alcoholic liquid made with gentian root, used medicinally esp. as an aid to digestion.
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1710 P. Blair Let. 20 Mar. in Misc. Observ. (1718) 75 The Gentian Bitters serve all for the same purposes of being Stomachicks and Anti-hystericks.
1873 Lippincott's Mag. Apr. 450/2 Mrs. Wharton then offered him some lager beer..and poured into it something out of a bottle labeled ‘Gentian Bitters’.
1931 M. Grieve Mod. Herbal I. 349/1 Many dyspeptic complaints are more effectually relieved by Gentian Bitters than by Peruvian Bark.
2003 Pulse (Nexis) 29 Sept. 24 Treat asthma using flower remedies or gentian bitters.
gentian brandy n. an alcoholic spirit with a bitter flavour made from gentian root; = gentian spirit at sense A. 2b.
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1837 Penny Satirist 25 Nov. 4/3 The gentian brandy, such as is distilled on the mountains of the Tyrol and Switzerland.
1867 F. E. Bunnett tr. B. Auerbach On the Heights III. viii. xv. 411 He fetched a bottle of gentian brandy from the upper shelf and drank.
1996 E. Silverthorne Legends & Lore Texas Wildflowers (2002) 19 In Europe an extract of the roots of the yellow gentian is fermented and distilled to make Gentian brandy.
gentian violet n. a bluish-purple synthetic rosaniline dye used as a stain in microbiology and histology, and for marking and disinfecting the skin; also called crystal violet.Chemical name: hexamethylpararosaniline chloride; C25H30ClN3. [After German Gentianaviolet (1875 or earlier; now Gentianaviolett).]
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the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > antiseptic > [noun] > substances for dressing wounds or burns
iodoform1838
gentian violet1876
camphoid1896
orthoform1897
thioform1899
thioresorcin1899
thiuret1899
traumatol1899
trypaflavine1913
bipp1916
acriflavine1917
propamidine1941
1876 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. 30 ii. 236 Gentian Violet... This new aniline-violet, which is considerably cheaper than the methyl violets, occurs in commerce in three shades.
1881 Jrnl. Royal Microsc. Soc. 1 838 Micrococci are coloured..blue and violet by hæmatoxylin, iodine-violet, methyl-violet, dahlia, and gentian-violet.
1897 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. II. 3 It takes up the stain..of gentian violet.
1953 R. W. Fairbrother Text-bk. Bacteriol. (ed. 7) xxiv. 306 The effect of the aniline dyes is variable; the tubercle bacillus can grow in the presence of dilutions of gentian-violet and malachite-green.
2016 Times (Nexis) 26 July (T2 section) He chooses a minuscule yellow gold and diamond stud that will be placed on the outer rim of my ear..and marks the spot with a dab of gentian violet to show me where it will go.
gentian water n. now rare a solution made from wine or other liquid infused with gentian root and used medicinally, esp. as an aid to digestion.In quot. 1994 in a work of historical fiction. [After post-classical Latin gentianae aqua (1557 in the passage translated in quot. 1559).]
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1559 P. Morwyng tr. C. Gesner Treasure of Euonymus 90 Gentian water [L. gentianae aqua]. Take .iiii. pounds of the fresh and new rotes [etc.].
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Water Gentian-water.—Take four Pounds of Gentian Roots..mince them small, infuse them in White-wine,..distil them, with the Addition of a little Centaury the lesser.
1900 Girl's Own Paper 1 Dec. 60/2 A mixture..containing the subnitrate of bismuth and the tincture of rhubarb in quassia or gentian water.
1994 C. Skye Come the Night xxiv. 286 I could have Tinker bring some lavender oil and gentian water. It is wonderful for surface wounds.
gentian wine n. wine infused with gentian root, used esp. as a tonic or as an aid to digestion.
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1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Gentian-wine, Drank for a Whet before Dinner.
1699 B. Allen Nat. Hist. Chalybeat & Purging Waters 83 The incommode of the Season may be help'd, by a Glass of somewhat more Generous, after the Waters are run off, as Gentian Wine, or the like.
1885 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 20 June 1269/2 The child's condition gradually improved... Cod-liver oil and gentian wine were also prescribed.
2002 J. Wright Asthma & Bronchitis iii. 54 Many of the famous herbal tonics are still based on bitters and nearly every country has a national favourite. The French drink Gentian wine, Swedes export their bitters [etc.].
gentianwort n. now rare any plant of the family Gentianaceae (see gentianaceous adj.).In quot. 1794, an otherwise unattested name for the great yellow gentian, Gentiana lutea.
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1794 Esprit des journaux July 346 Gentiane commune. G. lutea. L. En allemand Gelbe enzian; en anglois Gentian-wort.]
1845 J. Lindley School Bot. (new ed.) 91 (heading) Gentianaceæ—Gentianworts.
1890 Gardening Illustr. 29 Mar. 62/2 It [sc. Exacum zeylanicum] belongs to the Gentian-worts, and should be grown in somewhat stony soil.
2012 C. Adams et al. Princ. Hort.: Level 2 ii. 24/2 Species named after Fraser include Abies fraseri and Frasera spp. (gentianworts).
Derivatives
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the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Gentianaceae (gentians) > [adjective]
gentianal1839
gentianesque1896
1896 Daily News 23 July 8/6 Its flower still betrays undoubted marks of its gentianesque descent.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.OE