'Lavandula Spica' definitions:

Definition of 'Lavandula Spica'

From: GCIDE
  • Lavender \Lav"en*der\, n. [OE. lavendre, F. lavande, It. lavanda lavender, a washing, fr. L. lavare to wash; cf. It. lsavendola, LL. lavendula. So called because it was used in bathing and washing. See Lave. to wash, and cf. Lavender.]
  • 1. (Bot.) An aromatic plant of the genus Lavandula (Lavandula vera), common in the south of Europe. It yields and oil used in medicine and perfumery. The {Spike lavender} (Lavandula Spica) yields a coarser oil (oil of spike), used in the arts. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The pale, purplish color of lavender flowers, paler and more delicate than lilac. [1913 Webster]
  • Lavender cotton (Bot.), a low, twiggy, aromatic shrub (Santolina Cham[ae]cyparissus) of the Mediterranean region, formerly used as a vermifuge, etc., and still used to keep moths from wardrobes. Also called {ground cypress}.
  • Lavender water, a perfume, toilet water, or shaving lotion containing the essential oil of lavender, and sometimes the essential oil of bergamot, and essence of ambergris.
  • Sea lavender. (Bot.) See Marsh rosemary.
  • To lay in lavender. (a) To lay away, as clothing, with sprigs of lavender. (b) To pawn. [Obs.] [1913 Webster +PJC]