loosestrife

views updated May 21 2018

loose·strife / ˈloō(s)ˌstrīf/ • n. any of various tall plants that bear upright spikes of flowers, in particular purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria, family Lythraceae) and the yellow-flowered garden loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris) of the primrose family.

loosestrife

views updated May 29 2018

loosestrife XVI. tr. L. lysimachia (- Gr. lusimákheion), erron. taken to be directly f. Gr. lusi-, comb. form of luein LOOSE + mákhē strife, whereas it is f. Lusimakhos, the name of its discoverer, an application of the adj. lusímakhos loosing (i.e. ending) strife.

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