Lavender \Lav"en*der\, n. [OE. lavendre, F. lavande, It. lavanda lavender, a washing, fr. L. lavare to wash; cf. It. lsavendola, LL. lavendula. So called because it was used in bathing and washing. See Lave. to wash, and cf. Lavender.]

1. (Bot.) An aromatic plant of the genus Lavandula (L. vera), common in the south of Europe. It yields and oil used in medicine and perfumery. The Spike lavender (L. Spica) yields a coarser oil (oil of spike), used in the arts.

2. The pale, purplish color of lavender flowers, paler and more delicate than lilac.

Lavender cotton (Bot.), a low, twiggy, aromatic shrub (Santolina Cham[ae]cyparissus) of the Mediterranean region, formerly used as a vermifuge, etc., and still used to keep moths from wardrobes. Also called ground cypress.

Lavender water, a perfume composed of alcohol, essential oil of lavender, essential oil of bergamot, and essence of ambergris.

Sea lavender. (Bot.) See Marsh rosemary.

To lay in lavender.
   (a) To lay away, as clothing, with sprigs of lavender.
   (b) To pawn. [Obs.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Sea lavender \Sea" lav"en*der\ (Bot.) See Marsh rosemary, under Marsh.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Marsh \Marsh\, n. [OE. mersch, AS. mersc, fr. mere lake. See Mere pool, and cf. Marish, Morass.]

A tract of soft wet land, commonly covered partially or wholly with water; a fen; a swamp; a morass. [Written also marish.]

Marsh asphodel (Bot.), a plant (Nartheeium ossifragum) with linear equitant leaves, and a raceme of small white flowers; -- called also bog asphodel.

Marsh cinquefoil (Bot.), a plant (Potentilla palustris) having purple flowers, and found growing in marshy places; marsh five-finger.

Marsh elder. (Bot.)
   (a) The guelder-rose or cranberry tree (Viburnum Opulus).
   (b) In the United States, a composite shrub growing in salt marshes (Iva frutescens).

Marsh five-finger. (Bot.) See Marsh cinquefoil (above).

Marsh gas. (Chem.) See under Gas.

Marsh grass (Bot.), a genus (Spartina) of coarse grasses growing in marshes; -- called also cord grass. The tall S. cynosuroides is not good for hay unless cut very young. The low S. juncea is a common component of salt hay.

Marsh harrier (Zo["o]l.), a European hawk or harrier (Circus [ae]ruginosus); -- called also marsh hawk, moor hawk, moor buzzard, puttock.

Marsh hawk. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) A hawk or harrier (Circus cyaneus), native of both America and Europe. The adults are bluish slate above, with a white rump. Called also hen harrier, and mouse hawk.
   (b) The marsh harrier.

Marsh hen (Zo["o]l.), a rail; esp., Rallus elegans of fresh-water marshes, and R. longirostris of salt-water marshes.

Marsh mallow (Bot.), a plant of the genus Alth[ae]a ( A. officinalis) common in marshes near the seashore, and whose root is much used in medicine as a demulcent.

Marsh marigold. (Bot.) See in the Vocabulary.

Marsh pennywort (Bot.), any plant of the umbelliferous genus Hydrocotyle; low herbs with roundish leaves, growing in wet places; -- called also water pennywort.

Marsh quail (Zo["o]l.), the meadow lark.

Marsh rosemary (Bot.), a plant of the genus Statice (S. Limonium), common in salt marshes. Its root is powerfully astringent, and is sometimes used in medicine. Called also sea lavender.

Marsh samphire (Bot.), a plant (Salicornia herbacea) found along seacoasts. See Glasswort.

Marsh St. John's-wort (Bot.), an American herb (Elodes Virginica) with small opposite leaves and flesh-colored flowers.

Marsh tea. (Bot.). Same as Labrador tea.

Marsh trefoil. (Bot.) Same as Buckbean.

Marsh wren (Zo["o]l.), any species of small American wrens of the genus Cistothorus, and allied genera. They chiefly inhabit salt marshes.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)