pyrethrum — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Any of several daisy-like perennial African plants of the genus Tanacetum, especially Tanacetum cinerariifolium.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   A common beverage credited with aphrodisiac virtue was old wine containing the pungent root of the plant pyrethrum or pellitory.

   More examples (1)

   We children would re-tell the stories the following day to other children who worked in the fields picking the pyrethrum flowers, tea-leaves or coffee beans of our European and African landlords.

2. Anacyclus pyrethrum (pellitory of Spain)

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. Any of several insecticides obtained from these plants; pyrethrin.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. made of dried flower heads of pyrethrum plants

   Broader terms

   insecticideinsect powder

2. white-flowered pyrethrum of Balkan area whose pinnate leaves are white and silky-hairy below; source of an insecticide; sometimes placed in genus Chrysanthemum

   Synonyms

   Dalmatian pyrethrumDalmatia pyrethrumTanacetum cinerariifoliumChrysanthemum cinerariifolium

   Broader terms

   herbherbaceous plant

3. spring-flowering garden perennial of Asiatic origin having finely divided aromatic leaves and white to pink-purple flowers; source of an insecticide; sometimes placed in genus Chrysanthemum

   Synonyms

   painted daisyTanacetum coccineumChrysanthemum coccineum

   Broader terms

   flower