gar·de·nia \gärˈdēnyə, gȧˈ-, -nēə\noun Etymology: New Latin, from Alexander Garden died 1791 Scottish naturalist + New Latin -ia 1.capitalized: a large genus of Old World tropical trees and shrubs (family Rubiaceae) having showy fragrant white or yellow flowers 2.-s: any plant or flower of the genus Gardenia; especially: cape jasmine