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tansy

noun
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tan·​sy | \ ˈtan-zē How to pronounce tansy (audio) \
plural tansies

Definition of tansy

: a common Old World composite herb (Tanacetum vulgare) that is naturalized in North America and has bitter-tasting finely divided aromatic leaves and clustered yellow flower heads lacking ray flowers broadly : a plant of the same genus

Examples of tansy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web How to grow it: Think about kind options to maintain a healthy garden, such as having kids plant garden helpers like thyme and tansy, which both have strong oils that deter pesky bugs like aphids and whiteflies. — Kier Holmes, National Geographic, "How gardening can teach kids life skills," 29 May 2020 Related Articles One example is the common tansy, which is toxic to grazing animals and is moving to Canada in search of colder temperatures. — Bob Shaw, Twin Cities, "U of M center battles hungry invasives," 2 Dec. 2019 The Blue Cocoon’s hero ingredient is blue tansy, which calms and relieves inflammation. — Fiorella Valdesolo, WSJ, "3 Skincare Experts on Their Favorite Things," 23 Aug. 2018 Herb thugs in my yard are tansy and clivers (medicinal use), and garlic chives (aka Chinese leeks) and lemon balm (culinary use). — Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, "Growing and drying herbs in summer is a great way to benefit your culinary world," 8 June 2018 For squash bugs, plant mint, chives, garlic, onion, tansy, radishes, nasturtiums, marigolds and bee balm near and among vines of winter and summer squash. — OregonLive.com, "In vegetable gardens, good-neighbor planting makes all the difference," 29 Mar. 2018 The same blue tansy essential oil that gives the Vital Balm Cream its light blue hue also gives it a gorgeous calming scent. — Emily Barth Isler, Allure, "Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream Has a Waitlist of 600 People," 18 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tansy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of tansy

13th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for tansy

Middle English tansey, from Anglo-French tanesie, from Late Latin tanacita

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The first known use of tansy was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Tansy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tansy. Accessed 26 Feb. 2021.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tansy

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