‖ genista Bot.
(dʒɪˈnɪstə)
[L. genista broom.]
A plant of the genus (family Leguminosæ) represented by Dyer's Broom or Greenweed (G. tinctoria); the Common Broom (Cytisus scoparia) is by some referred to this genus, and is prob. the plant chiefly referred to in the early examples.
| 1625 Purchas Pilgrims II. viii. 1379 A peculiar kind of Genista, and many other vnknowne plants. 1669 Evelyn Kal. Hort. (ed. 3) 19 Jasmines, Honey-suckles, Genista Hisp., Carnations [etc.]. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1862) I. xii. 61 A rush, resembling the genista, but much more soft and flexible. 1825 Scott Talism. xi, The genista, or broom plant, was an emblem of humility. 1886 F. Caddy Footsteps Jeanne D'Arc xi. 220 The brisk air of the common-land odorous with thyme and the genista. |