| tansy | 1. <botany> Any plant of the composite genus Tanacetum. The common tansy (T. Vulgare) has finely divided leaves, a strong aromatic odour, and a very bitter taste. It is used for medicinal and culinary purposes. 2. A dish common in the seventeenth century, made of eggs, sugar, rose water, cream, and the juice of herbs, baked with butter in a shallow dish. <botany> Double tansy, a plant (Sisymbrium canescens) of the Mustard family, with tansylike leaves. Origin: OE. Tansaye, F. Tanaise; cf. It. & Sp. Tanaceto, NL. Tanacetum, Pg. Atanasia, athanasia, Gr. 'aqanasia immortality, fr. 'aqanatos immortal; 'a priv. + qanatos death. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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