gentian
noun
gen·tian
ˈjen(t)-shən 
1
: any of numerous herbs (family Gentianaceae, the gentian family, and especially genus Gentiana) with opposite smooth leaves and showy usually blue flowers
2
: the rhizome and roots of a yellow-flowered gentian (Gentiana lutea) of southern Europe that is used as a tonic, stomachic, and flavoring in vermouth
Examples of gentian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tiny golden buttercups, scarlet gilia, purple sticky geraniums, and 3-foot green gentians, which live for decades but only bloom once, are all on display.
—
Krista Simmons and J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
Female Alcon blues lay their eggs on gentians.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2023
Its distinguishing feature is Aperol, a bright orange bitter Italian liqueur of gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona.
—Alex Erdekian, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2020
The French have bright yellow Suze and clear Salers, both gentian-based; the Germans have Jägermeister and Underberg.
—M. Carrie Allan, chicagotribune.com, 20 Nov. 2019
This year’s Olympic Games bouquet consists of eustoma, sunflower, gentian, narcolan and haran blossoms.
—Raisa Bruner, Time, 7 Feb. 2020
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Krista Simmons and J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
Female Alcon blues lay their eggs on gentians.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2023
Its distinguishing feature is Aperol, a bright orange bitter Italian liqueur of gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona.
—Alex Erdekian, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2020
The French have bright yellow Suze and clear Salers, both gentian-based; the Germans have Jägermeister and Underberg.
—M. Carrie Allan, chicagotribune.com, 20 Nov. 2019
This year’s Olympic Games bouquet consists of eustoma, sunflower, gentian, narcolan and haran blossoms.
—Raisa Bruner, Time, 7 Feb. 2020
Dictionary Entries Near gentian
Cite this Entry
“Gentian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentian. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gentian
noun
gen·tian
ˈjen-chən
: any of various herbs with smooth leaves and showy bell-shaped or funnel-shaped usually blue flowers
Medical Definition
gentian
noun
gen·tian
ˈjen-chən
1
: any of two genera (Gentiana and Dasystephana) of herbs belonging to a family (Gentianaceae, the gentian family) and having opposite smooth leaves and showy usually blue flowers
2
: the rhizome and roots of a yellow-flowered gentian (Gentiana lutea) of southern Europe that is used as a tonic and stomachic
called also gentian root
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