‖ origanum Bot.
(ɒˈrɪgənəm)
[L. orīganum, -us, ‘wild marjoram’ (Lewis & Short), a. Gr. ὀρίγανον, -ος, ‘an acrid herb like marjoram’ (L. & S.); in appearance, a compound of ὄρος mountain + γάνος brightness, joy, pride, whence the scribal alteration ὀρείγανος. Also organum, q.v.; and in many anglicized forms: see origan.]
A genus of labiates, comprising herbs and low shrubs, with flowers in clustered heads, and aromatic leaves; as Wild Marjoram (O. vulgare), Sweet Marjoram (O. Marjorana), Pot M. (O. Onites), Dittany of Crete (O. Dictamnus), etc. In the old herbals, including Pennyroyal, and other labiates.
| [c 1265 Voc. Names Plants in Wr.-Wülcker 557/20 Origanum, i. puliol real, i. wdeminte.] 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xviii. vii. (MS. Bodl.) lf. 246/2 Ȝif þe pointes of his [boar's] tuskes beþ blonte..he secheþ an herbe þat hatte Origanum and gnawiþ & chewiþ it. 1540 Elyot Image Gov. xxi. 39 The grounde was thicke couered with Camomyle, Origanum, and other lyke grasses. 1583 Rates of Customs D v, Origanum the pound viijd. 1683 Tyron Way to Health 562 [It] is said of the Stork when she has eaten Snakes, she seeks for the same Herb Originum, and finds a Remedy. 1757 Cooper Distiller ii. ii. (1760) 120 Plants which long retain their natural Fragrance, such as Balm, Hyssop,..Origanum, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, etc. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 522 Oil of Cloves, origanum, and aniline oils must be avoided. |