any Eurasian plant of the genus Centaurium, esp C. erythraea, having purplish-pink flowers and formerly believed to have medicinal properties: family Gentianaceae
2.
any plant of the genus Centaurea, which includes the cornflower and knapweed: family Compositae (composites)
Word origin
C14: ultimately from Greek Kentauros the Centaur; from the legend that Chiron the Centaur divulged its healing properties
centaury in American English
(ˈsɛnˌtɔri)
nounWord forms: pluralˈcentauries
any of a genus (Centaurium) of small plants of the gentian family, with flat clusters of red or rose flowers
Word origin
ME centaurie < ML centauria < L centaureum < Gr kentaureion < Kentauros, centaur: the centaur Chiron was said to have discovered medicinal properties ofthe plant
Examples of 'centaury' in a sentence
centaury
First he must drink little but often from a decoction of warm water infused with centaury, melissa, rosehip, and honey.
Julian May IRONCROWN MOON: PART TWO OF THE BOREAL MOON TALE (2004)