Main Entry: ¹lav·en·der

Pronunciation: \ˈla-vən-dər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English lavendre, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin lavandula

Date: 13th century

1 a : a Mediterranean mint (Lavandula angustifolia syn. L. officinalis) widely cultivated for its narrow aromatic leaves and spikes of lilac-purple flowers which are dried and used in sachets and from which is extracted an aromatic oil used chiefly in perfumery b : any of several plants congeneric with true lavender and used similarly but often considered inferior
2 : a pale purple