botanical

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   relating to plants or to the scientific study of plants

   The expedition returned with hundreds of botanical specimens.

2. 2
   noun

   a substance or preparation obtained from a plant, especially for medicinal or cosmetic use

   The lotion contains several botanicals traditionally used to soothe the skin.

From botanic + -al. Botanic ultimately comes through Latin botanicus from Greek botanikos, 'of herbs,' from botanē, 'pasture, grass, plant.' The noun use arose by shortening expressions such as botanical drug or botanical ingredient.

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