scabious

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a plant with pincushion-like flower heads, especially one of the genera Scabiosa or Knautia

   Blue butterflies hovered over a scabious flower.

2. 2
   adj

   affected by scabs or resembling scabies

   The veterinary note described a scabious patch of skin.

From Medieval Latin scabiosa, the feminine of scabiosus, 'scabby,' because the plant was once used medicinally against scabies and other skin diseases.

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