lavender
/ˈlav(ə)ndə
/noun [mass noun]
1A small aromatic evergreen shrub of the mint family, with narrow leaves and bluish-purple flowers, used in perfumery and medicine.
- Genus Lavandula, family Labiatae.
- A heady, often impenetrable mix of shrubs, herbs and wild flowers, such as lavender, myrtle, marjoram and thyme, its elusive scent permeates everything from the wine to the honey.
- We've got hawthorn, gingko, elder, mullein, lavender, sage, thyme, echinacea, borage, yarrow and plenty of pine trees.
1.1 (also lavender oil) A scented oil distilled from lavender flowers: lavender, like most essential oils, is kind to sore or infected skin [as modifier]: a cake of lavender soap...
- Insects are all repelled by potent essential oils, such as lavender oil.
- Pennyroyal oil or lavender oil brushed onto woodwork surrounding doorways and kitchen benches will also help to keep flies away.
- Or unwind after a hectic day by adding 3 drops each of lavender oil and rosewood oil to your evening bath.
1.2Used in names of plants similar to lavender, e.g. cotton lavender, sea lavender.In another I'm going to plant Rocky Road French lavender....
- Soft gray leaves give it its name, cotton lavender, also known as gray santolina.
- The little purple dots on top of the white sepals in the green circle above are about all that will remain of the Sea Lavender flowers when dried.
1.3 informal Used in reference to effeminacy or homosexuality: Rick is so hard-boiled that any touch of lavender is wiped away...
- Like all their jewelry products it is in the finest aluminum and, as always, tinted lavender, the official lesbian color!
- In fact, he loathed the lavenders so much, he said he'd cross the street if he saw a homo approaching
1.4 dated Used in reference to refinement or gentility: [as modifier]: she had a certain lavender charm...
- In France they were known as chestnut gatherers; Brits called them lavender aunts.
- A faint air of lavendered family drama, hangs over proceedings, but the unusual context provides its own stimulus.
2A pale blue colour with a trace of mauve: romantic designs in old-fashioned tones of primrose, lavender, and rose [as modifier]: she wore a lavender silk dress...
- Walls, blinds and tablecloths were in misty shades of lavender blue and mauve.
- A bit of pale, lavender blue thread looped around the needle's eye.
- For example, in spring, the guests wear sky blue, grass green, pale rose, lavender, and buttercup yellow.
verb [with object]
Perfume with lavender: (as adjective lavendered) lavendered sheets
Origin
Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French lavendre, based on medieval Latin lavandula.