Gnaphalium

noun

Gna·​pha·​li·​um
-lēəm
: a large genus of hoary or woolly-tomentose widely distributed herbs (family Compositae) having whitish persistent involucres see balsamweed sense 1

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, alteration of Latin gnaphalion cudweed, modification of Greek gnaphallion, from gnaphallon flock of wool, from gnaptein to card, alteration of knaptein; akin to Old English hnæppan to strike, Old Norse hnafa to cut, Lithuanian knabėti to peel, Latin cinis ashes

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near Gnaphalium

Cite this Entry

“Gnaphalium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Gnaphalium. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!