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gentian definition

gen·tian (jen′s̸hən)

adjective

designating a family (Gentianaceae, order Gentianales) of dicotyledonous plants, including the fringed gentians and the closed gentians

Etymology: ME genciane < OFr gentiane < L gentiana, of Illyrian orig.

noun

  1. any of a large genus (Gentiana) of plants of the gentian family, with blue, white, red, or yellow flowers
  2. the bitter root of the yellow gentian (G. lutea), used as a gastrointestinal tonic

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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